U.S. patent number RE38,226 [Application Number 09/286,367] was granted by the patent office on 2003-08-19 for optical disk driver and operational processing apparatus having such optical disk driver.
Invention is credited to Kenichi Furukawa, Hironori Kurisu, Tomonori Mitsui, Hiroshi Mochizuki, Mitsunori Nakamura, Makoto Ogawa, Akio Saito, Noboru Sugie.
United States Patent |
RE38,226 |
Sugie , et al. |
August 19, 2003 |
Optical disk driver and operational processing apparatus having
such optical disk driver
Abstract
An optical disk driver using a top-loading mechanism is coupled
to an operational processor, such as a personal computer. The term
"a top-loading mechanism" means a mechanism for inserting and/or
ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk
driver. Additionally, a display unit used for the operational
processor can be located on an operational processing apparatus
comprising such an optical disk driver and an operational
processor. The optical disk driver includes a first case (12),
accommodated in a housing (10a) having the operational processor
therein, a second case (11); movable from a first position to a
second position, the second case (11) projecting from the first
case (12) so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected
via a top surface of the second case (11) when the second case
being located at the first position, the second case being
accommodated in the first case to be operatively connected to the
operational processor when the second case (11) being located at
the second position.
Inventors: |
Sugie; Noboru (Chofu-shi,
Tokyo, JP), Furukawa; Kenichi (1601, Sakai,
Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa, JP), Ogawa; Makoto (1601,
Sakai, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa, JP), Kurisu; Hironori
(1601, Sakai, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa, JP), Mitsui;
Tomonori (1601, Sakai, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa, JP),
Saito; Akio (1601, Sakai, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa, JP),
Nakamura; Mitsunori (1601, Sakai, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa,
JP), Mochizuki; Hiroshi (1601, Sakai, Atsugi-shi,
Kanagawa, JP) |
Family
ID: |
27455043 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/286,367 |
Filed: |
April 2, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
647731 |
Jan 28, 1991 |
05181197 |
Jan 19, 1993 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 31, 1990 [JP] |
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2-8891 U |
Jul 27, 1990 [JP] |
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2-80192 U |
Jul 30, 1990 [JP] |
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2-80919 U |
Jul 31, 1990 [JP] |
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2-81188 U |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
720/619;
369/13.01; 720/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
17/035 (20130101); G11B 17/05 (20130101); G11B
17/056 (20130101); G11B 17/28 (20130101); G11B
25/043 (20130101); G11B 33/10 (20130101); G11B
33/121 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11B
17/04 (20060101); G11B 17/28 (20060101); G11B
003/10 (); G11B 017/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;369/13,75.1,75.2,77.1,77.2 ;360/99.02,99.03,99.06,99.07 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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58-81763 |
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Jun 1983 |
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JP |
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64-23746 |
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Feb 1989 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Miller; Brian E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Patents+TMS, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case, accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture
between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a
first position to a second position, said second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and
ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case
is located at the first position, said second case being
operatively connected to the operational processor via said first
case when said second case is located at the second position, said
second case being inserted into said first case and projected
therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second
case having a lid at a top surface thereof, the lid opening when
said second case is located at the first position so that the
optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected
therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is
located at the second position; driving means for driving the
optical disk inserted into said second case; moving means for
moving said second case from the second position to the first
position; opening means for opening the lid; lock means for locking
the lid in order to keep the lid closed; and lock release means
coupled to said lock means for releasing the lock of said lock
means, said lock release means releasing the lock of said lock
means, and the opening means opening the lid in response to the
movement of said second case from the second position to the first
position, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning
members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are
respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said lock means further comprises: a hook
provided on the lid; a hook lever, mounted on said second case,
engageable with the hook when the lid is closed; and a spring,
mounted on said second case, which forces the hook lever in a
direction in which the hook lever engages with the hook, the lid
being kept closed while the hook and the hook lever are engaged
with each other, and wherein said lock release means further
comprises: a connection member connected to the hook lever; moving
detection means for detecting whether or not said second case has
moved to approximately the first position; and engagement release
means for forcing the connecting member in a direction such that
the hook is released from being engaged with the hook lever when
the moving detection means detects that said second case has moved
to approximately the first position.
2. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case, accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture
between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a
first position to a second position, said second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and
ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case
is located at the first position, said second case being
operatively connected to the operational processor via said first
case when said second case is located at the second position, said
second case being inserted into said first case and projected
therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second
case having a lid at the top surface of said second case, the lid
opening when said second case is located at the first position so
that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and
ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case
is located at the second position; driving means for driving the
optical disk inserted into said second case; moving means for
moving said second case from the second position to the first
position; opening means for opening the lid; lock means for locking
the lid in order to keep the lid closed; and lock release means
coupled to said lock means for releasing the lock of said lock
means, said lock release means releasing the lock of said lock
means, and the opening means opening the lid in response to the
movement of said second case from the second position to the first
position, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning
members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are
respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said lock means further comprises: a hook
provided on the lid; a hook lever, mounted on said second case,
engagable with the hook when the lid is closed; and a spring,
mounted on said second case, which forces the hook lever in a
direction in which the hook lever engages with the hook, the lid
being kept closed while the hook and the hook lever are engaged
with each other, and wherein said lock release means further
comprises: a connection member connected with the hook lever;
moving detection means for detecting whether or not said second
case has moved to approximately the first position; and engagement
release means for forcing the connection member in a direction such
that the hook is released from being engaged with the hook lever
when the moving detection means detects that said second case has
moved to approximately the first position, and wherein the moving
detection means further comprises: a projection, projecting in the
vicinity of the insertion opening of said first case; and an
engagement member, located in the vicinity of an edge of said
second case, engagable with the projection when said second case is
approximately moved to the first position, the engagement release
means operatively connecting the engagement member to the
connection member, and the engagement release means moving the
engagement member to move the connection member in the direction
that releases the hook from engagement with the hook lever when the
engagement member is engaged with the projection.
3. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case, accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture
between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a
first position to a second position, said second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and
ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case
is located at the first position, said second case being
operatively connected to the operational processor via said first
case when said second case is located at the second position, said
second case being inserted into said first case and projected
therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second
case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lid opening
when said second case is located at the first position so that the
optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected
therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is
located at the second position; driving means for driving the
optical disk inserted into said second case; and closing means
operable when said second case is moved from the first position to
the second position with the lid open, said closing means closing
the lid softly, in synchronization with the movement of said second
case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning
members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are
respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to
position the insertion opening of said first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position.
4. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case, accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture
between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a
first position to a second position, said second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and
ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case
is located at the first position, said second case being
operatively connected to the operational processor, via said first
case, when said second case is located at the second position, said
second case being inserted into said first case and projected
therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second
case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lid opening
when said second case is located at the first position so that the
optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected
therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is
located at the second position; driving means for driving the
optical disk inserted into said second case; and closing means
operable when said second case is moved from the first position to
the second position with the lid open, said closing means closing
the lid softly in synchronization with the movement of said second
case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning
members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are
respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said closing means further comprises: roller
means located in the vicinity of the insertion opening of said
first case; and an engagement part, engagable with the roller
means, provided on the lid, the lid gradually being closed by the
engagement of the roller means with the engagement part of the lid
as said second case moves from the first position to the second
position.
5. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case, accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture
between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a
first position to a second position, said second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and
ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case
is located at the first position, said second case being
operatively connected to the operational processor, via said first
case, when said second case is located at the second position, said
second case being inserted into said first case and projected
therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case, said second
case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lid opening
when said second case is located at the first position so that the
optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected
therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is
located at the second position; driving means for driving the
optical disk inserted into said second case; and closing means
operable when said second case is moved from the first position to
the second position with the lid open, said closing means closing
the lid softly in synchronization with the movement of said second
case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning
members, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are
respectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said closing means further comprises: a
bearing located in the vicinity of the insertion opening; and an
engagement part engagable with the bearing, provided on the lid,
the lid gradually being closed by the engagement of the bearing
with the engagement part of the lid as said second case is moved
from the first position to the second position.
6. An optical disk driver comprising: first case, accommodated in a
housing which includes therein an operational processor operatively
connected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which
said first case is inserted into the housing and ejected therefrom,
said first case including an insertion opening having a shape
corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between the first
case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a first position to
a second position, said second case projecting from the first case
so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top
surface of said second case when said second case is located at the
first position, said second case being operatively connected to the
operational processor via said first case when said second case is
located at the second position, and said second case being inserted
into said first case and projected therefrom via the insertion
opening of said first case; and driving means for driving the
optical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first
case comprises: a pair of positioning members, oppositely located
around the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into
a part of the aperture to position the insertion opening of the
first case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first
case is inserted into the housing, and fixing means for removably
fixing the second case in the first case when the second case is
located at the second position, and wherein said second case
comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top surface of said
second case, the lid opening when said second case is located at
the first position so that the optical disk can be inserted into
said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed
when said second case is located at the second position.
7. An optical disk driver according to claim 6, wherein said fixing
means comprises a magnet provided in said first case, which magnet
magnetically fixes said second case when the second case is located
at the second position.
8. An optical disk driver according to claim 7, wherein said first
case further comprises a latch mechanism operatively connected to
the magnet, the magnet being released from being fixed by the latch
mechanism when said second case is pushed from the first direction
to the second direction so that said second case can be moved from
the second position to the first position.
9. An optical disk drive according to claim 6, wherein the mouth
and the insertion opening respectively have rectangular shapes, and
wherein the positioning members have identical square pillar
shapes, and are located adjacent to a first side of the insertion
opening and a second side thereof opposite to the first
side..Iadd.
10. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable
between a first position and a second position, said second case
projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be
inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when
said second case is located at the first position, said second case
being operatively connected to the operational processor via said
first case when said second case is located at the second position,
and said second case being inserted into said first case and
projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case;
and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said
second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of
positioning members provided oppositely around the first case,
which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said second case comprises a lid openable and
closeable at the top surface of said second case, the lid opening
when said second case is located at the first position so that the
optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejected
therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is
located at the second position..Iaddend..Iadd.
11. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable
between a first position and a second position, said second case
projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be
inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when
said second case is located at the first position, said second case
being operatively connected to the operational processor via said
first case when said second case is located at the second position,
and said second case being inserted into said first case and
projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case;
and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said
second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of
positioning members provided oppositely around the first case which
are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position
the insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center
of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and
fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case
when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein
said second case comprises a disk holding means such that the
optical disk is held by the disk holding means in the first
position of the second case so that the optical disk can be
inserted into said second case and removed
therefrom..Iaddend..Iadd.
12. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable
between a first position and a second position, said second case
projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be
inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when
said second case is located at the first position, said second case
being operatively connected to the operational processor via said
first case when said second case is located at the second position,
and said second case being inserted into said first case and
projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case;
and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said
second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of
positioning members provided oppositely located around the first
case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture
to position the insertion opening of the first case at
substantially the center of the mouth when said first case is
inserted into the housing, and fixing means for removably fixing
the second case in the first case when the second case is located
at the second position, and wherein the second case comprises a
disk holding means associated with the top surface of said second
case, the disk holding means capable of receiving and maintaining
the optical disk in a predetermined position when the second case
is located at the first position such that the optical disk can be
inserted into said second case and held by said disk holding means
and then ejected therefrom by release of the disk holding means in
the first position..Iaddend..Iadd.
13. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable
between a first position and a second position, said second case
projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be
inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when
said second case is located at the first position, said second case
being operatively connected to the operational processor via said
first case when said second case is located at the second position,
and said second case being inserted into said first case and
projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case;
and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said
second case, wherein said insertion opening comprises: a pair of
positioning members provided oppositely around the first case,
which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and a disk holding means associated with the top surface
of said second case wherein said disk holding means holds the
optical disk in a fixed position when said second case is in the
first position and allows the optical disk to be moved from the
first position to the second position without interference from the
first case..Iaddend..Iadd.
14. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a
first position to a second position, said second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and
ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second case
is located at the first position, said second case being
operatively connected to the operational processor via said first
case when said second case is located at the second position, and
said second case being inserted into said first case and projected
therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and driving
means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case,
wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning members,
oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are
respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position the
insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of
the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and
fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first case
when the second case is located at the second position, and wherein
said second case comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top
surface of said second case, the lid opening when said second case
is located at the first position so that the optical disk can be
inserted into said second case and ejected therefrom, and the lid
being closed when said second case is located at the second
position wherein the openable position of the lid defines a
location of the second case that provides access to position the
disk on the second case and the closeable position of the lid
defines a location of the second case in which the disk is
inaccessible to prevent removal of the optical disk from the second
case..Iaddend..Iadd.
15. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable
between a first position and a second position, said second case
projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be
inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when
said second case is located at the first position, said second case
being operatively connected to the operational processor via said
first case when said second case is located at the second position,
and said second case being inserted into said first case and
projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case;
and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said
second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of
positioning members provided oppositely around the first case,
which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said second case comprises a disk holding
means provided on a top surface of said second case so as to be
movable between a first position and a second position, in which
the disk holding means is moved from the first position to the
second position when the optical disk is held by the disk holding
means at the first position of the second case, and the disk
holding means holding the optical disk is being kept in its first
position when the second case is located at the second position
thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
16. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in
a housing which includes therein an operational processor
operatively connected to said first case, said housing having a
mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing and
removed therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening
having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing
between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable
between a first position and a second position, said second case
projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be
inserted and ejected via a top surface of said second case when
said second case is located at the first position, said second case
being operatively connected to the operational processor via said
first case when said second case is located at the second position,
and said second cage being inserted into said first case and
projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case;
and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said
second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of
positioning members provided oppositely around the first case,
which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to
position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially
the center of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the
housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in
the first case when the second case is located at the second
position, and wherein said second case comprises a disk holding
means movable between a first position and a second position in
which the disk holding means is adapted to be moved from the first
position to the second position for holding the inserted optical
disk at the first position of the second case, and the disk holding
means is adapted to be moved from the second position to the first
position for removing or ejecting the optical disk at the first
position of the second case, and wherein the disk holding means
holding the optical disk is being kept in its first position when
the second case is located at the second position thereof..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to optical disk drivers
which drives optical disks (generally called CD-ROMs) and
operational processing apparatuses having such optical disk drivers
therein, and more particularly to an optical disk driver using a
top-loading mechanism and an operational processing apparatus
having such an optical disk driver therein. The term "a top-loading
mechanism", as used herein, means a mechanism for inserting and/or
ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk
driver. And the term "an operational processing apparatus", as used
herein, means an apparatus having an operational processor, such as
a personal computer, and a CD-ROM driver.
FIGS. 1 to 3 shows example of different types of CD-ROM drivers.
FIG. 1 shows a CD-ROM driver using the top-loading mechanism
separated from a personal computer. FIG. 2 shows a CD-ROM driver
having the top-loading mechanism united with a personal computer.
FIG. 3 shows a CD-ROM driver having a front-loading mechanism
united with a personal computer. The term "a front-loading
mechanism", as used herein, means a mechanism for inserting and/or
ejecting an optical disk from a radial direction thereof via a
front surface of the optical disk driver. The numbers 1, 4 and 6
indicate CD-ROM drivers, numbers 2, 5 and 7 indicate personal
computers, a number 3 indicates an interface cable, a number 5a
indicates a display unit, and a number 8 indicates a CD-ROM,
respectively.
However, the above conventional CD-ROM drivers have the following
disadvantages:
1. Since the CD-ROM driver 1 in FIG. 1 is coupled to the personal
computer 2 via the interface cable 3, a relatively large space is
necessary in which to locate the operational processing
apparatus;
2. Since the CD-ROM driver 4 in FIG. 2 uses the top-loading
mechanism, a display unit 5a cannot be placed on the personal
computer 5;
3. Since the CD-ROM driver 6 uses the front-loading mechanism which
is more complicated than the top loading mechanism, the cost of the
operational processing apparatus becomes more expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to
provide a novel and useful optical disk driver and an operational
processing apparatus having such an optical disk driver in which
the above disadvantages are eliminated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical
disk driver using a relatively simple loading mechanism, an
operational processing apparatus having such an optical disk driver
which is relatively small, and on which a display unit can be
placed.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an
optical disk driver which comprises a first case, accommodated in a
housing having an operational processor therein, the first case
being operatively connected to the operational processor and the
first case having an inserting opening, a second case, movable from
a first position to a second position, the second case projecting
from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or
ejected via a top surface of the second case when the second case
is located at the first position, the second case being
accommodated in the first case so that the second case is
operatively connected to the operational processor via the first
case when the second case is located at the second position, and
the second case being inserted into the first case and/or projected
therefrom via the inserting opening of the first case, and driving
means for driving the optical disk inserted into the second
case.
Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide
an operational processing apparatus which comprises a housing, a
operational processor accommodated in said housing, and an optical
disk driver comprising a first case, accommodated in said housing,
the first case being operatively connected to the operational
processor and the first case having an inserting opening, a second
case, movable from a first position to a second position, the
second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk
can be inserted and/or ejected via a top surface of the second case
when the second case is located at the first position, the second
case being accommodated in the first case so that the second case
is operatively connected to the operational processor via the first
case when the second case is located at the second position, and
the second case being inserted into the first case and/or projected
therefrom via the inserting opening of the first case, and driving
means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second
case.
According to the present invention, the optical disk driver uses a
top-loading mechanism in which an optical disk is inserted and/or
ejected via the top surface of the second case. Therefore, the
loading mechanism thereof is simpler than that using a
front-loading mechanism so that the cost of the operational
processing apparatus can be kept inexpensive. Moreover, the optical
disk driver is united to the operational processor when the second
case is located at the second position so that the operational
processing apparatus is located in a relatively small space.
Additionally, the first case is accommodated in the housing whereas
the optical disk driver uses the top-loading mechanism so that a
display unit can be placed on the housing.
Other objects and further features of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description when read
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective views of conventional CD-ROM
drivers;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an operational processing apparatus
of a first embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an operational processing apparatus
of a second embodiment according to the present invention, which
enlarged view corresponds to the vicinity of an engagement part in
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operational processing
apparatus shown in FIG. 4 into which a CD-ROM can be inserted;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operational processing
apparatus shown in FIG. 4 from which a CD-ROM has been ejected;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an operational processing apparatus
of a third embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver shown in FIG. 8
in which a CD-ROM can be inserted;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the CD-ROM driver shown in
FIG. 8 from which a CD-ROM has been ejected;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver of a fourth
embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver with a lid
closed viewed from a direction B shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an accommodation case shown in
FIG. 4;
FIGS. 14 to 19 are views for explaining an operational processing
apparatus of a fifth embodiment according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A description will now be given of a CD-ROM driver and an
operational processing apparatus having such a CD-ROM driver
therein of a first embodiment according to the present invention
with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Same elements will be designated by
the same corresponding reference numerals, and the description
thereof will be given once.
The operational processing apparatus 10 according to the present
invention comprises a housing 10a, a personal computer (not shown)
accommodated in the housing 10a, an accommodation case 12
accommodated in the housing, and a CD-ROM driver 11 insertable into
the accommodation case 12 and/or projectable therefrom.
The CD-ROM driver 11 drives a CD-ROM 13 when the CD-ROM driver 11
is inserted into the accommodation case 12. Therefore, it may be
said that the CD-ROM driver 11 accommodated in the accommodation
case 12 corresponds to the CD-ROM driver 1 shown in FIG. 1. The
CD-ROM driver 11 is projected from the accommodation case 12 when
the CD-ROM 13 is to be inserted into the CD-ROM driver 11 and/or
ejected therefrom, and the CD-ROM driver 11 is inserted into the
accommodation case 12 when the CD-ROM 13 is to be driven. Since the
CD-ROM driver 11 is integrated and electrically connected with the
personal computer in the housing 10a via the accommodation case 12,
the operational processing apparatus 10 can be located in a
relatively small space. Since the CD-ROM driver 11 and the
accommodation case 12 are accommodated in the housing 10a, a
display unit (not shown) can be placed on the housing 10a.
Moreover, the CD-ROM driver 11 uses the top-loading mechanism which
is less complicated than the front-loading mechanism so that the
cost of the operational processing apparatus is kept inexpensive. A
description will now be given of the operation of the CD-ROM driver
11.
As shown in FIG. 4, the CD-ROM driver 11 is located at a first
position where the CD-ROM 11 driver is projected from the
accommodation case 12 when the CD-ROM 13 is to be inserted into the
CD-ROM driver 11 and/or ejected therefrom. On the other hand, the
CD-ROM driver 11 is located at a second position where the CD-ROM
driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 when the
CD-ROM 13 is to be driven. The CD-ROM driver 11 is movable between
the first position and the second position. Incidentally, the
CD-ROM driver 11 according to the embodiment has a lid 19 at a top
surface thereof, and the CD-ROM 13 is inserted into the CD-ROM
driver 11 and/or ejected therefrom via the lid 19. Whether the lid
19 is provided or not is a matter of choice. The lid 19 can be
opened and/or closed around an axis 22 by hand. The CD-ROM 13 is
placed at a disk table 20 of a driving part 14, and is driven
there. After the CD-ROM 13 is placed on the disk table 20 and the
lid 19 is closed, then the front part 14a of the driving part 14 is
pushed by hand s that the CD-ROM driver 11 is inserted into the
accommodation case 12. The CD-ROM 13 is fixed on the disk table 20
by a clamper 21. A description will now be given of the movement
between the first position and the second position of the CD-ROM
driver 11.
The CD-ROM driver 11 moves with a rail 15 mounted on a side surface
thereof. The accommodation case 12 has rollers 16 which determine a
path of the rail 15. The rollers 16 hold and support the rail 15
from the top and the bottom so that the path of the rail 15 is
positioned by the rollers 16. The CD-ROM driver 11 can slide
between the first position and the second position by the guidance
of the rail 15 and the rollers 16. The number and the location of
the roller 16 can be changable. Incidentally, the path of the rail
15 may be determined, not by the rollers 16, but by a section at an
engagement part 12a of the accommodation case 12 which is engagable
with the rail 15, as shown in FIG. 5. The CD-ROM driver 11 is
inserted into the accommodation case 12 and/or projected therefrom
via an insertion opening 12b.
The CD-ROM driver 11 is attracted to a magnet rod 18 when the
CD-ROM driver 11 is moved to the second position, as shown in FIG.
6. The magnet rod 18 is fixed to the accommodation case 12 via the
magnet supporter 17. The magnet rod 18 magnetically fixes the
CD-ROM driver 11 to protect it from the inclination of the housing
10a and the external vibration. The CD-ROM driver 11 can be moved
from the second position to the first position by further pushing
the front part 14a. As shown in FIG. 7, the magnet rod 18 is fixed
to the magnet supporter by a latch mechanism. The fixation by the
latch mechanism is released by further pushing the magnet rod 18.
Therefore, if the front part 14a is further pushed while the CD-ROM
driver 11 is located at the second position, the magnet rod 18 is
released from the fixation so that it is projected forward,
consequently, the CD-ROM driver 11 is also projected from the
accommodation case 12. Then the CD-ROM driver 11 may be moved to
the first position by hand.
It is possible to move the CD-ROM driver automatically from the
second position to the first position, and thus open the lid in
synchronization with the release of the latch mechanism. A
description will now be given of an operational processing
apparatus of a third embodiment according to the present invention
with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The operational processing
apparatus 30 of the embodiment comprises a projection mechanism 34,
a spring 27 which forces a lid 28 in an opening direction
(direction A), a lock mechanism 23, and a lock release mechanism
40. In this embodiment, the lid 28 has a hook 26. The hook 26 is
engagable with the lock mechanism 23 to lock the lid 28 in order to
keep the lid closed. The spring 27 is engaged with the axis 22.
The projection mechanism 34 is a mechanism for automatically moving
the CD-ROM driver 29 from the second position to the first position
in synchronization with the release of the latch mechanism. The
projection mechanism 34 comprises a pin 31 mounted on the side
surface 29a of the CD-ROM driver 29, a pin 32 mounted on the
accommodation case 12, and tension coiled spring 33 stretched
between the pins 31 and 32. The strength of the spring 33 is
adjustable by changing the location of the pins 31 and 32. Thus,
the CD-ROM driver 29 is forced in the direction X.sub.2 as it is
moved from the second position to the first position. The
projection mechanism 34 may comprise the pin 31 mounted on the
accommodation case 12, the pin 32 mounted on the side surface 29a,
and compression coiled spring stretched therebetween. In addition,
a mechanism for reeling a wire by a spring like take-up reel may be
applicable to the projection mechanism 34 instead of the using a
coiled spring. Moreover, another mechanism may be used for the
projection mechanism 34 as long as it forces the CD-ROM driver 29
in the direction X.sub.2 as it is moved from the second position to
the first position.
The lock mechanism 23 is a mechanism for locking the lid 28 by
cooperating with the hook 26. The lock mechanism 23 comprises a
hook lever 24 to engage with the hook 26 and a spring 25 forcing
the hook lever 24 in an engagement direction. In this embodiment,
since the engagement direction corresponds to a clockwise
direction, the spring 25 forces the hook lever 24 clockwise via a
pin 35.
The lock release mechanism 40 is a mechanism for releasing the lock
of the lock mechanism 23. The lock mechanism 40 comprises a
projection 44 projecting from the accommodation case 12 in the
vicinity of the insertion opening 12b, a lever 42 mounted on the
side surface 29a via a pin 41, and a connection rod 43 connecting
the lever 42 to the hook lever 24. The lever 42 engages with the
projection 44 when the CD-ROM driver 29 is approximately moved to
the first position. When the lever 42 engages with the projection
44, as shown in FIG. 10, the lever 42 rotates clockwise. Thus, the
lever 42 rotates the hook lever 24 counterclockwise via the
connection rod 43 so that the lock of the lock mechanism 23 is
released.
Accordingly, when the CD-ROM driver 29 is located at the second
position shown in FIG. 9, the lid 28 is locked by the engagement of
the hook 26 and the hook lever 24. And the CD-ROM driver 29 is
forced in the direction X.sub.2 by the spring 33. When the front
part 14a is pushed in a direction X.sub.1, the fixation of the
magnet supporter 17 is released. Thus, the CD-ROM driver 29 is
moved in the direction X.sub.2 by the spring 33 until the lever 42
engages with the projection 44. The engagement of the lever 42 and
the projection 44 releases the lock of the lock mechanism 23. The
the lid 28 is opened by the spring 27 in synchronization with the
releasing of the lock.
Therefore, the pushing of the front part 14a moves the CD-ROM
driver 29 automatically from the second position to the first
position, and opens the lid 28 automatically, too. Incidentally,
the lid 28 has a bumper (not shown) so that the lid 28 is opened
and/or closed softly. Whether the bumper is provided or not is a
matter of choice.
It is possible to open and/or close the lid automatically in
synchronization with the movement of the CD-ROM driver. A
description will now be given of a CD-ROM driver of a fourth
embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment,
the lid 37 is forced in the opening direction by the spring 27, as
in the third embodiment. And the lid 37 is smoothly closed by
rollers 38 in synchronization with the movement of the CD-ROM
driver 36 from the first position to the second position. The lid
37 has an engagement portion 37a into which two rollers 38 located
in the accommodation case 12 are inserted to be engaged therewith.
A plurality of bearings may be provided in the vicinity of the
insertion opening 12b of the accommodation case 12.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a part of the CD-ROM driver 36 with
a lid 37 closed viewed from the direction B shown in FIG. 11. Each
of the rollers 38 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion
opening 12b. Therefore, the lid 37 gets smoothly closed by the
engagement of the lid 37 with the rollers 38 as the CD-ROM driver
36 moves from the first position to the second position.
Incidentally, whether the spring 27 is provided or not is a matter
of choice. If the spring 27 is not provided, only the automatic
closing of the lid is possible. The CD-ROM diver 36 has a concave
part 36a, as shown in FIG. 8, which functions as an opening and/or
closing space for the lid 37.
The accommodation case 12 in FIG. 4 comprises, as shown in FIG. 13,
a back surface 12c having the magnet supporter 17 thereon fixed in
the housing 10a, a top surface 12d, a bottom surface 12e, and side
surfaces 12f and 12g which can be inserted and/or ejected via an
mouth 51 of the housing 10a. It is desirable to position the
insertion opening 12b of the accommodation case 12 at the center of
the mouth 51. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a
positioning member which positions the insertion opening 12b at the
center of the mouth 51.
A description will be given of a CD-ROM driver of a fifth
embodiment according to the present invention with reference to
FIGS. 14 to 19. In this embodiment, the accommodation case 12
comprises positioning members 52 and 53 in the vicinity of the
insertion opening 12b. Because of the positioning members 52 and
53, the accommodation case 12 can be adequately engaged with the
mouth 51 in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12b so that the
insertion opening 12b is located at the center of the mouth 51.
FIG. 14 shows a CD-ROM driver 60 of the fifth embodiment according
to the present invention. The positioning members 52 and 53 have
square pillar shapes made of synthetic resin, respectively, top
surfaces which project from the top surface 12d by "a", bottom
surfaces which project from the bottom surface 12e by "b", side
surfaces which project respectively from the side surfaces 12f and
12g by "c" and by "d", as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. The spans "e" of
the positioning members 52 and 53 are equal to the height "f" of
the mouth 51 and the height "i" of the front part 14a. The distance
"g" between the side surfaces 52c and 53c is equal to the width "h"
of of the mouth 51. The width "j" of the front part 14a is equal to
the distance "k" between the top surfaces 52a and 53a.
FIGS. 18 and 19 show the accommodation case 12 accommodated in the
housing 60a. The top surfaces 52a and 53a make contact with the top
surface 51a of the mouth 51, the bottom surfaces 52b and 53b make
contact with the bottom surface 51b thereof, side surfaces 52c and
53c contact with the side surfaces 51c and 51d thereof,
respectively. Thus, the aperture 55 between the accommodation case
12 and the housing 10a is uniformized so that the insertion opening
16 is positioned at the center of the mouth 51.
Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments,
but various variations and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *