JP2001209998A - Disk changer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disk changer device capable of returning a disk to other empty shelves and enhancing operation convenience even when another disk is housed in an original shelf in the case of returning the disk conveyed to a disk driving part to the original shelf. SOLUTION: This disk changer device is provided with a stocker 1 having a shelf 3 for housing three disk cartridges 51, a disk driving part 17 for driving the disk cartridge 51, a conveying means for selectively taking out one of the disk cartridges 51 housed in the stocker 1 and conveying it to the disk driving part 17 or returning it from the disk driving part 17 to the stocker 1, a disk cartridge detecting means for detecting the housing of the disk cartridge 51 in the shelf 3, and a searching means for searching the empty shelf 3 based on detected information from the disk cartridge detecting means and, when the disk cartridge 51 in the disk driving part 17 is returned to the stocker 1, it is returned to the empty shelf 3 searched by the searching means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disk device such as an audio device or a data device using a disk such as an optical disk, and more particularly to a disk changer device having a stocker for storing a plurality of disks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional disk changer device will be described. An audio apparatus or the like uses a disk cartridge in which a disk is stored, and can store a plurality of disk cartridges and has a plurality of insertion holes into which the disk cartridges are inserted. And a disk drive unit provided at a rear portion of the stocker and provided with a transporting unit for transporting the disk cartridge stored in the shelf.

[0003] The disk cartridge stored in the shelf is transported from the shelf to the disk drive and from the disk drive to the shelf by transport means.

[0004] Then, when a disk stored in the disk cartridge is being played or the like, the insertion opening of the stocker is opened to insert a new disk cartridge into the stocker or to insert a disk cartridge stored in the stocker. It was possible to replace it with a new disk cartridge.

[0005]

However, after the performance of the disc has been completed, the disc is returned to the original shelf from which the disc was taken out. When stored, even if other shelves are empty, the disk conveyed to the disk drive cannot be returned, and an error state occurs, and subsequent operations are stopped. It was bad.

It is an object of the present invention to return a disk conveyed to a disk drive to an original shelf, even if another disk is stored in the original shelf. It is an object of the present invention to provide a disk changer device which can return a disk to a shelf and improve usability.

[0007]

As a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a stocker having a plurality of stages of shelves capable of accommodating a plurality of disks and having insertion ports, and a method of driving the disks A disc driving unit, a conveyance unit for selectively taking out the disc stored in the stocker and conveying the disc to the disc driving unit, or returning the disc from the disc driving unit to the stocker, and transferring the disc to the shelf. A disk detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of storage, and a searching unit that searches for an empty shelf based on detection information by the disk detecting unit, wherein when the disk in the disk driving unit is returned to the stocker, It is characterized in that it is returned to the empty shelf section searched by the search means.

Further, as a second solving means, the transport means is provided in the disk drive section, and the disk drive section is moved in a stepwise direction of the shelf section so that the transport means corresponds to the predetermined shelf section. And when returning the disk to the stocker from the state where the disk is taken out from the shelf and conveyed to the disk drive,
The search means starts searching for an empty space from the shelf at the stage where the disk is first taken out, and then searches for the shelf sequentially distant from the shelf closest to the shelf. It is characterized by having made it.

[0009] Further, as a third solving means, there is provided a display means, and when the disk is returned to the stocker, as a result of searching each of the shelves by the searching means, if there is no empty shelves, The display means displays an indication that the disk cannot be returned to the stocker.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A disk changer device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The disc changer device 100 corresponds to a disc cartridge 51 which is an MD (mini disc) cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the disc changer device 100, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stocker 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of the stocker 1, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the stocker 1, and FIG. , FIG. 6 is a left side view of the stocker 1,
7 is a right side view of the stocker 1 showing a mounted state of the shutter 5, FIG. 8 is a left side view of the stocker 1 showing a mounted state of the shutter 5, and FIG. 9 is a side view showing a relationship between the stocker 1 and the disk drive unit 17. FIGS. 10 and 10 are enlarged views of part A in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the shutter 5, FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 11, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 14 shows the stocker 1 of the cam member 7.
15 is a partial sectional side view showing attachment to the stocker 1, FIG. 15 is a partial sectional plan view showing attachment of the erroneous insertion prevention member 35 and the detection member 36 to the stocker 1, and FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the erroneous insertion preventing member 35, FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 are combined, and FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the state where the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 are combined. FIG. 20 is a right side view showing a state where the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 are combined, FIG. 21 is a plan view of the shutter 5, FIG. 22 is a front view of the shutter 5, and FIG. Area view, FIG. 2
4 is a left side view of the shutter 5.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of the elastic member 6 and FIG.
6 is a front view of the elastic member 6, FIG. 27 is a side view of the elastic member 6, FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the relationship between the stopper 14 and the stocker 1, FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG.
FIG. 30 is a front view showing the relationship between the stopper 14 and the stocker 1, FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the stopper 14,
32 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 31, FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1, and FIG. 34 is an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the shelf 3 of the disk cartridge 51.
Flowchart for explaining the return operation to FIG. 36
Is a flowchart for explaining the operation of returning the disk cartridge 51 to the shelf 3, and FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of returning the disk cartridge 51 to the shelf 3.

FIG. 38 shows a disk cartridge 51.
Is a flowchart for explaining the returning operation of the stopper 3 to the shelf 3, FIG. 39 is a plan view of the stopper 14, FIG. 40 is a left side view of the stopper 14, FIG. 43 is a front view of the arm member 32, FIG. 44 is a view seen from the J direction in FIG. 43, FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing position detection of the disk cartridge 51, and FIG.
FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of position detection of FIG. 47, FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of position detection of the disk cartridge 51, and FIG.
FIG. 49 is an explanatory view showing the operation of detecting the position of the disk cartridge 51, FIG. 49 is a plan view of the detection lever 24, FIG. 50 is a front view of the detection lever 24, FIG. FIG. 53 is a side view of the disk cartridge 51, FIG.
4 is a sectional view taken along line 54-54 in FIG.

Next, a disc changer device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the stocker 1 is composed of a plurality of partition plates 2 arranged at predetermined intervals, and the partition plates 2. 52 and a disk cartridge 51 (FIG. 52)
1), and a pair of mounting plates 4 mounted on both sides of the partition plate 2 in a state where a side portion of a rear portion of the shelf portion 3 is open. The plurality of tongue pieces 4 a provided on the mounting plate 4 project forward from the side of each shelf 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a spring engaging portion 33 is formed on the upper surface of the uppermost partition plate 2 on the stopper 14 side. A detection switch 34 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 24, the shutter 5 made of a substantially U-shaped metal plate is provided at a flat base 5a and at one end of the base 5a, and has a chevron at the end. A substantially U-shaped arm portion 5c having a cam portion 5b;
a at the other end and a substantially V-shaped arm 5e having a V-shaped cam 5d at the end.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the L-shaped elastic member 6 made of a springy metal plate has an L-shaped mounting portion 6a and a bent protrusion 6b. And The elastic member 6 is attached to the base 5a of the shutter 5 and the arm 5c as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, and the protrusion 6b is located inward on the side of the arm 5c. The elastic member 6 is provided with a projection 6 on the shutter 5.
By forming b, the shutter 5 may be made of the same metal plate.

As described above, the three shutters 5 to which the elastic members 6 are attached are connected to the arm 5 as shown in FIGS.
c and 5e are rotatably attached to the side surface of the stocker 1, and the base 5a opens and closes the transport port at the rear of each shelf 3, and the protrusion 6b is located near the transport port, and the elastic member 6
Rotate with the shutter 5. The shutter 5 is always urged by a torsion spring 31 attached to the stocker 1 so as to close the transport port, as shown in FIG.

The substantially L-shaped erroneous insertion preventing member 35 made of sheet metal has a erroneous insertion preventing protruding piece 35a provided on one end and a convex provided on the other end, as shown in FIG. Part 35
c and a cam portion 35b provided at an L-shaped corner.

As shown in FIG. 15, the substantially L-shaped detection member 36 made of a synthetic resin molded product is provided with an arc-shaped detection portion 36a provided on one end and an arc-shaped detection member 36a provided on the other end. And a pressing portion 36b.

The cam member 7 made of a synthetic resin molded product is provided on a base 7b having a pair of guide grooves 7a and side surfaces of the base 7b, as shown in FIGS. It has a convex portion 7c and a locking portion 7g, a convex portion 7f provided on another side surface, a cam portion 7d provided on the lower surface side of the base portion 7b, and a projection 7e provided on the front surface.

As shown in FIG. 14, a pair of guide rods 8 attached to the stocker 1 are inserted into the guide grooves 7a with the same number as the number of the shutters 5 being vertically stacked, as shown in FIG. Then, the cam member 7 is attached to the stocker 1 so as to be able to move back and forth, and the cam member 7 is constantly pressed to the rear by the coil spring 9 interposed between the mounting plate 4 and the cam member 7.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 35 and the detecting member 36
As shown in FIG. 6, each of the stockers is disposed on the bottom side of each cam member 7, and as shown in FIG. It is attached to 1. Further, the erroneous insertion preventing protrusion 35a of the erroneous insertion preventing member 35 and the detecting portion 36a of the detecting member 36
Is configured to protrude into the movement passage of the disk cartridge 51 on the shelf 3. Further, the protrusion 35c of the erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 35a is
The rotation of the erroneous insertion prevention protruding piece 35a is restricted by locking to the g.

It is to be noted that the erroneous insertion preventing projection 35a is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the shelves 3 are arranged so as to be deflected above the center in the height direction.

The cam member 7 is opposed to the coil spring 9.
When has moved forward, the cam portion 5b of the shutter 5 is pressed by the cam portion 7d to rotate the shutter 5 in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 11, and the shutter 5 is changed from the closed state of the transfer port to the open state. It has become. As shown in FIG. 5, a torsion spring 31 is attached to the side surface of the stocker 1 where the arm 5e is located. With this torsion spring 31, the shutter 5 normally closes the transport port in a normal state. Have been suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the cam member 7 moves forward against the coil spring 9, the protrusion 7f
By pressing the cam portion 35b of the erroneous insertion prevention member 35, the erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 35a is rotated in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Escape from inside to outside.

As shown in FIGS. 45 to 48, the light sensor 11 includes a light emitting element 12 such as a light emitting diode.
And a light receiving element 13 composed of a phototransistor or the like. The light emitting element 12 is mounted on the lower surface of the stocker 1, and the light receiving element 13 is mounted on the upper surface of the stocker 1, respectively. In the rear portion, the position of a disk cartridge 51 described later is detected.

As shown in FIGS. 39 to 41, a lever or stopper 14 made of a synthetic resin molded product is provided at a base 14b having a cylindrical portion 14a provided with a hole and at one end of the base 14b. Locking portion 14c, and a convex portion 14d provided between the cylindrical portion 14a and the locking portion 14c.
And another one provided on the opposite side of the protrusion 14d of the base 14b.
It has two convex portions 14f and an engaging portion 14e provided on the other end side of the base portion 14b.

As shown in FIGS. 42 to 44, the arm member 32 made of sheet metal is formed by bending a base 32b having a through-hole 32a at one end and a second end of the base 32b. An operating portion, that is, a pressing portion 32c, a spring locking portion 32d having a spring hook portion 32d 'provided adjacent to the pressing portion 32c, and a pressing portion formed by bending one end of the base portion 32b so as to form a U-shape. Support plate 3 having through-hole 32f larger in diameter than plate 32g and through-hole 32a
2e.

Then, the stopper 14 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the front part of the stocker 1, a rotating shaft, ie, a support 15 which is a guide member attached to the side of the stocker 1 where the arm 5e of the shutter 5 is located.
Is inserted and attached to the cylindrical portion 14a.

Further, as shown in FIG.
2, the support 15 is inserted through the through hole 32f, and the reduced diameter portion 15a of the support 15 is fitted and attached to the through hole 32a. The stopper 14 is mounted before the reduced diameter portion 15a of the column 15 is fitted into the through hole 32a.
The base 32b of the arm member 32 is located at the uppermost partition plate 2.
The spring locking portion 32
d and a spring engaging portion 33 formed on the upper surface of the partition plate 2 (FIG. 2).
) Are connected by the coil spring 16, and the pressing plate 32 g of the arm member 32 is constantly urged toward the stocker 1. At this time, the pressing plate 32
Since g is disposed so as to abut on the convex portion 14f of the stopper 14, the locking portion 14c of the stopper 14 is also constantly urged toward the stocker 1 side. Therefore, the pressing portion 32c of the arm member 32 rotates in conjunction with the stopper 14.

The stopper 14 can be moved in the direction of arrow C in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 29, the locking portion 14c of the stopper 14 is located outside the moving path of the disc cartridge 51, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the locking portion 14c of the stopper 14 can be moved to a driving position located in the moving passage of the disk cartridge 51. When the locking portion 14c is located in the movement path, the projection 14d hits the tongue 4a of the mounting plate 4 and prevents the stopper 14 from rotating further.

As shown in FIGS. 45 to 48, the disk drive 17 for driving the disk 53 is
A holder 19 provided in the main body 18 for holding the disc cartridge 51; a chassis 20 located on the upper surface of the main body 18; and a mode switching lever 21 mounted on the chassis 20 and provided to be movable back and forth. The disk drive unit 17 is installed at the rear of the stocker 1.

As shown in FIGS. 45 to 51, the detecting means 22 for detecting the position of the disk cartridge 51 comprises a push-type switch 23 and a detecting lever 24 for operating the switch 23. , The switch 23 is fixed to a front portion of the chassis 20, and has a support portion 24a and an operation portion 24b as shown in FIGS.
The support lever 24a is pivotally attached to the front part of the chassis 20 so as to be rotatable.
4b is movable.

When the detecting means 22 is attached to the chassis 20, the free end of the operating portion 24b of the detecting lever 24 is located in the moving path of the disk cartridge 51 in the holder 19, and the operating portion 24b When pressed against the cartridge 51, the operation unit 24b
Operate the push button of switch 23 with switch 2
3 is turned on, and when the operation unit 24b is released from the pressing of the disk cartridge 51, the operation unit 24b hangs down by its own weight, releasing the pressing of the push button unit of the switch 23, and the switch 23 is released. It is turned off. When the switch 23 is ON, the detection operation of the optical sensor 11 is disabled, and when the switch 23 is OFF, the detection operation of the optical sensor 11 is enabled.

Further, the chassis 20 is particularly suitable for use in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, a U-shaped engaging portion 20a is provided at one end thereof.
The engaging portion 20a engages with the stopper 14 and moves the stopper 14 up and down so as to correspond to each shelf 3 (see FIGS. 29 and 30).

The mode switching lever 21, which has a U-shape and moves back and forth by a driving source such as a motor, is provided by being bent downward from one arm portion 21a as shown in FIGS. It has an L-shaped cam portion 21b and, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a pressing portion 21d formed by being bent downward from the other arm portion 21c.

Then, the cam portion 21b is provided as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the engaging portion 14e of the stopper 14 is rotated by the cam portion 21b against the resilience of the coil spring 16 when the mode switching lever 21 is moved back and forth. The locking portion 14c moves into and out of the moving path of the disk cartridge 51, that is, switches between the standby position and the driving position.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the pressing portion 21d is disposed at a position facing the convex portion 7c of the cam member 7, and when the mode switching lever 21 moves back and forth, the pressing portion 21d The member 7 is moved against the coil spring 9, and the cam portion 7 d presses and opens the cam portion 5 b of the shutter 5 by the movement of the cam member 7,
By rotating the shutter 5 to move the shutter 5 into and out of the movement path of the disk cartridge 51,
The elastic member 6 is adapted to be disengaged from the disk cartridge 51.

The disk drive unit 17 configured as described above
Is mounted so as to be vertically movable with respect to the stocker 1 by a driving device (not shown), and the holder 19 and the detecting means 22 correspond to each shelf 3 of the stocker 1 by the vertical movement of the disk drive unit 17. And the stopper 14 moves via the mode switching lever 21 so as to correspond to each shelf 3 of the stocker 1.
The pressing portion 21d of the mode switching lever 21 moves so as to correspond to each cam member 7 provided for each shelf 3.

As shown in FIG. 9, a front panel 37 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a plurality of insertion openings 37 divided into a plurality of stages by a mounting portion 37a and a partition wall 37d.
e.

The front panel 37 is attached to a set device (not shown) by an attaching portion 37a, and is combined with a front portion of the stocker 1 to form each of the insertion openings 37e.
Correspond to the insertion openings of the respective shelves 3.

The disk cartridge 51 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 54, the lower wall 51a has a rectangular box shape and is formed of a synthetic resin molded product, the hole 51b is provided at the center of the lower wall 51a, and is formed of a synthetic resin molded product. In the upper wall 51c and the lower wall 51a near the front end 51d, cutouts 51f and 51g formed of concave portions provided on both short side walls 51e, and the lower wall 51a near the front end 51d are cut. A notch 51h formed of a concave portion provided in the vicinity of the notch 51g, and a slide groove 51i provided at a position offset toward the upper wall 51c of the side wall 51e on the side of the notch 51f and having an open front end 51d. are doing. Also, the upper wall 51c of the disc cartridge 51
Has an opening (not shown) in the upper wall 51c or the lower wall 51a.
The opening / closing part 52 which opens and closes is mounted.

Also, a disk 53 composed of an optical disk or the like
As shown in the figure, a cup-shaped metal portion 54 having a hole 54a at a central portion, a resin portion 55 provided on the outer periphery of the metal portion 54 and made of a transparent synthetic resin molded product, A recording medium unit 56 is provided on the outer periphery of the unit 55 and performs recording or reproduction.

The disk 53 is housed in the disk cartridge 51 and is opened and closed by the opening and closing unit.
When a part of the disc 53 is exposed for recording or reproduction and the disc 53 is stored in the disc cartridge 51, the disc 53 is located within the range of the hole 51b of the lower wall 51a.
The metal part 54 and a part of the resin part 55 are located, and the disk cartridge 51 is in a state where the light transmitting area T exists.

Next, the operation of inserting and ejecting the disk cartridge 51 into and from the stocker 1 and the disk drive section 17 in the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 28, when the disk cartridge 51 is not inserted in F in FIG.
Is located outside the moving path of the disk cartridge 51, and the shutter 5 closes the transport port at the back of the stocker 1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 28, the disk cartridge 51 is inserted into the insertion port 37e (FIG. 9) of the front panel 37.
28), and in this state, when the disc cartridge 51 is further inserted as shown in FIG. 28G, the disc cartridge 51 is pushed down to the shelf 3 of the stocker 1 and is stocked on the shelf 3. Become like At this time,
A part of the disk cartridge 51 is exposed to such an extent that it can be picked up from a notch (not shown) of the front panel 25.

The disc cartridges 51 stocked on each shelf 3 are discharged.
By pulling out the exposed part of the garment.

In this manner, the disc cartridges 51 are inserted into each shelf 3 and are stocked.

Next, the operation of the disk cartridge 51 stored in the stocker 1 will be described.

When the disc cartridge 51 is completely stored in the shelf 3 of the stocker 1 through the front panel 37, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the erroneous insertion is prevented in the slide groove 51i of the disc cartridge 51. The erroneous insertion preventing protrusion 35a of the member 35 is fitted to prevent further movement of the disk cartridge 51 to the rear side. Also, the disk cartridge 5
At approximately the same timing as when the cartridge 1 is completely housed, the detection portion 36a of the detection member 36 abuts against the side wall 51e of the disk cartridge 51, thereby rotating in the direction of arrow I in FIG. Push the type disk detection switch 38 to turn it on. As described above, the disk detecting means mainly includes the detecting member 36 and the disk detecting switch 38. Further, the projection 6b (see FIG. 28) of the elastic member 6 fits into the notch 51f of the disk cartridge 51,
The movement of the disk cartridge 51 is prevented.

When the disc cartridge 51 is turned upside down or inserted from the front and back, it comes into contact with the erroneous insertion preventing projection 35a shown in FIG. 16, thereby preventing the disc cartridge 51 from being erroneously inserted. Then, the disk cartridge 51 is in an incompletely inserted state in which the disk cartridge 51 is not completely stored in the shelf 3.

Then, the disk cartridge 51 normally stored in the shelf 3 is transported to the disk drive 17 and
When driving the disk 53, first, when a drive button of an audio device or the like is operated, the entire disk drive unit 17 moves up and down with respect to the stocker 1, and a predetermined shelf 3 is selected.

At this time, the holder 19, the detecting means 22, the pressing portion 21d of the mode switching lever 21, and the stopper 14 are in a state corresponding to the predetermined shelf 3. After the vertical movement of the disk drive unit 17, the mode switching lever 21 is moved forward by a motor or the like.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cam portion 7d of the cam member 7 causes the cam portion 5b of the shutter 5 to move.
11 and 12, the pressing portion 21d of the mode switching lever 21 hooks the convex portion 7c of the cam member 7 to move the cam member 7, thereby moving the cam member 7d.
As a result, the cam portion 5b is pressed.

By this operation, as shown in FIG.
When the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 rotate in the direction of arrow K, the shutter 5 is disengaged from the moving path of the disk cartridge 51 to open the transfer port of the stocker 1 and the elastic member 6 Is disengaged from the notch 51f. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the erroneous insertion preventing member 35 rotates in the direction of the arrow H, and the erroneous insertion preventing protrusion 35a escapes from the inside of the shelf 3 to the outside. In this way, the movement of the disk cartridge 51 is made free.

Next, in this state, both side walls 51e of the disc cartridge 51 are moved by the first transporting means (not shown) at the open side portions at the rear of the stocker 1.
The disc cartridge 51 is moved to the front part in the holder 19 by pinching or hooking the disc cartridge, and then the disc cartridge 51 is completely moved into the holder 19 by the second transporting means (not shown). The conveyance of the cartridge 51 is completed, and thereafter, the drive of the disk 53 is performed. In addition, the first
The transporting means and the second transporting means can cope with the selected predetermined shelf 3 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the disk drive unit 17.

At this time, the locking portion 1 of the stopper 14
The state shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is changed from the state shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 to the state shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. While the disk cartridge is being conveyed inside, another disk cartridge cannot be inserted into the same shelf 3.

When the transport of the disk cartridge 51 is completed, the mode switching lever 21 is moved rearward by a motor or the like, and returns to the original state as shown in FIGS. As a result, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in (5), the state returns to the original state in which the conveyance port is closed by the torsion spring 31.

When the disc cartridge 51 in the holder 19 is carried out, first, when the ejection button of the audio equipment or the like is pressed, the mode switching lever 21 is moved forward by a motor or the like. From the state of FIG. 10 to FIG.
1, the state shown in FIG. 12 is reached, and the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 move out of the movement path of the disk cartridge 51. At the same time, the disk cartridge 51 is transported by the second transport means, and then the disk cartridge 51 is returned to the original position of the original shelf 3 of the stocker 1 by the first transport means.

Then, the mode switching lever 21 is returned to the original state as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 by a motor or the like. At this time, the shutter 5 is returned by the torsion spring 31 to close the transfer port of the stocker 1, and the protrusion 6b of the elastic member 6 is fitted to the notch 51f of the disc cartridge 51. Return. Further, the erroneous insertion prevention member 35 is returned by the convex portion 7f of the cam member 7, and the erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 35a returns to the state of being fitted into the slide groove 51i of the disk cartridge 51 as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the stopper 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the disc cartridge 51 is inserted, FIG.
8, as shown in FIG. 29, the stopper 14 is pushed and rotated by the cam portion 21b of the mode switching lever 21, and is in a standby position located outside the moving passage of the disk cartridge 51. At this time, the convex portion 14f of the stopper 14 presses the pressing plate 32g of the arm member 32 to rotate the arm member 32 by the same angle as the stopper 14, and in this state, the pressing portion 32c of the arm member 32 Is separated from the detection switch 34 and the detection switch 34 does not operate and is turned off.

When the disc cartridge 51 in the shelf 3 is carried into the holder 19, as described above,
When the drive button of the audio equipment is pressed,
The mode switching lever 21 moves forward. Then, the state shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is changed to the state shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, and the stopper 14 is released together with the arm member 32 by the spring property of the coil spring 16 when the pressing from the cam portion 21b is released. When the projection 14d is in contact with the tongue piece 4a, the locking portion 14c moves into the movement path of the disk cartridge 51. At this time, the pressing portion 32c of the arm member 32 moves in the direction of the detection switch 34 and pushes the detection switch 34 to turn it on.

When the detection switch 34 is turned on, it is detected that the disk cartridge 51 is normally stored in the shelf 3 and, at the same time, the disk cartridge 51 is moved to the stocker 1 by the first transport means as described above. Is transported from the shelf 3, and then loaded into the holder 19 by the second transport means and moved to the driving position.

When the disc cartridge 51 in the holder 19 is carried out, when the ejection button of the audio equipment or the like is pressed in the same manner as described above, the mode switching lever 21 is moved forward by a motor or the like. Then, FIG. 28,
The state shown in FIG. 29 is changed from the state shown in FIG. 29 to the state shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. When the pressing from the cam portion 21b is released, the arm member 32
The locking portion 14c moves into the movement passage of the disk cartridge 51 in a state where the protrusion 14d is in contact with the tongue piece 4a. At this time, the pressing portion 3 of the arm member 32
2c moves in the direction of the detection switch 34 and pushes the detection switch 34 to turn it on.

At the same time, the disk cartridge 51 is transported by the second transport means as described above, and then the disk cartridge 51 is returned to the original position of the original shelf 3 of the stocker 1 by the first transport means. .

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the disk cartridge 51 returned by the second transport means
The end of the disk cartridge 51 is locked by the locking portion 14c of the stopper 14 to prevent the disk cartridge 51 from being further transported by the second unloading means, and to prevent the disk cartridge 51 from returning to the stocker 1 at an irregular position. I have lost it. Thereafter, the mode switching lever 21 is driven by a motor or the like.
Is returned to the original state as shown in FIGS.

At this time, the stopper 14 is again pushed by the cam portion 21b of the mode switching lever 21 and is positioned outside the moving path of the disk cartridge 51. In this operation, the shutter 5 is returned by the torsion spring 31 to close the transfer port of the stocker 1, and the protrusion 6b of the elastic member 6 is moved to the disk cartridge 51.
The timing is the same as that of fitting into the notch 51f.

Next, the position detection of the disk cartridge 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 48. As shown in FIG. 45, when the disk cartridge 51 is located in the holder 19, the detecting means 22 When the operation unit 24b of the detection lever 24 is pushed by the disc cartridge 51,
The switch 23 is in the ON state. Further, the disk cartridge 51 is in a state of being separated from the optical sensor 11.

When the ejection button for the disk cartridge 51 is operated in this state, the disk cartridge 51 is returned to the stocker 1 by the second transport means and the first transport means as described above. .

While the disk cartridge 51 is being returned, the detecting operation by the optical sensor 11 is invalidated by the detecting means 22. That is, the detection lever 24 is pushed by the disk cartridge 51, and the switch 23 is turned on.
While is ON, the detection operation by the optical sensor 11 is disabled by the detection means 22.

As shown in FIG. 47, when the detection lever 24 is released from the pressing of the disk cartridge 51, the switch 23 is turned off, and the detection operation of the optical sensor 11 is performed by turning off the detection means 22. Become effective and work. By doing this,
Even if the lower wall 51a and the upper wall 51c of the disc cartridge 51 are transparent members, the optical sensor 11 is prevented from malfunctioning in the light transmitting region T shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 48, the optical sensor 11 detects that the disk cartridge 51 has been removed.

By this detection, for example, a command to stop the operation of the first transport means is issued, and the mode switching lever 2
1 is output to a motor or the like for operating the motor 1. By using the detecting means 22 in addition to the optical sensor 11, even if the movement of the disk cartridge 51 is stopped accidentally during the movement of the disk cartridge 51 between FIGS. Damage can be eliminated.

Next, the operation of returning the disk cartridge 51 into the stocker 1 (UNLOAD) will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
When the disk cartridge 51-1 stored in the disk drive 5 is transported into the holder 19 and the disk 53 is driven by the disk drive unit 17, the operator operates the same shelf 3-1.
The case where a new disk cartridge 51-2 is inserted into the disk drive will be described. It is assumed that no disk cartridge is inserted in the shelves 3-2 and 3-3.

At this time, the disk detection switch 3 for detecting the presence or absence of the disk cartridge 51 in the shelf 3
8 (see FIG. 15) is ON in the shelf 3-1 and 3-2 and 3
At -3, it is in the OFF state.

When the eject button of the audio equipment or the like is pressed in this state, the routine shifts to a routine 101 for transporting the disk cartridge 51-1 to the original shelf 3-1 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then, in decision 102, it is determined whether the detection switch (SW) of the shelf unit 3-1 is in an ON state or an OFF state. In this example, the detection switch (S
Since W) is in the ON state, the search means cannot find an empty space in the shelf 3, and the routine proceeds to Y (YES) to continue the search, and executes the judgment 103. Judgment 1
At 03, it is determined whether the detection switch (SW) of the shelf 3-2 closest to the shelf 3-1 is ON or OFF.
In this example, it is in the OFF state, the search means searches for an empty space in the shelf unit 3-1, the routine proceeds to N (NO), and
Execute Step 4. In operation 104, as shown in FIG. 34, the disk drive unit 17 is moved downward so that the position of the holder 19 corresponds to the shelf 3-2, and
9 is transferred to the shelf 3-2 by the second transport means and then to the shelf 3-2 by the first transport means.
OAD.

The above-mentioned searching means determines, for example, whether or not the disk cartridge 51 is stored in the shelf 3 from the ports (not shown) to which the output terminals of the respective disk detection switches 38 are connected and the state of each port. And a microcomputer (not shown) for executing a process of searching for an empty space in the shelf 3.

Although the case where the disk cartridge 51-2 is inserted only into the shelf 3-1 of the stocker 1 has been described above, in the above example, the disk cartridge 51-1 conveyed from the shelf 3-1 is inserted into the disk 3-1. When the drive unit 17 drives the disk 53, the shelves 3-1 and 3-
In the case where the disc cartridges 51 are inserted into the respective Nos. 2, Y is selected in the judgment 103 of the flowchart of FIG. At decision 105, the detection switch (S
W) is in the ON state, the search means cannot find an empty space in the shelf 3, and the routine proceeds to Y to execute the judgment 105. In the determination 105, the detection switch (SW) of the shelf 3-3 is in the OFF state, and
After searching for a free space of -3, the routine proceeds to N (NO),
Perform operation 106. Although not shown, the disk drive unit 17 is moved downward from the state shown in FIG. 33 so that the position of the holder 19 corresponds to the shelf 3-3, and the disk cartridge 51-1 in the holder 19 is moved to the second position. UNL is placed on the shelf 3-3 by the transport means and then by the first transport means.
OAD.

Further, in the above example, when the disk cartridge 51-1 drives the disk 53 by the disk drive unit 17, all of the stockers 1 in the shelves 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 are stored. When the disk cartridge 51 is inserted into the shelf 3, Y is selected in the judgment 105 of the flowchart of FIG.
It will advance to 7. In operation 107, all the shelves 3
Since the disk cartridge 51 is inserted into the stocker 1, the disk cartridge 51-1 in the holder 19 cannot be UNLOADed into the stocker 1. For example, an error message stating that any one of the disk cartridges 51 is removed from the stocker 1 is displayed. The information is displayed on a display means, that is, a display (not shown) provided in the disc changer device, to notify the operator. Note that a lamp may be used as the display means, and an operator may be notified of the error by turning on or blinking the lamp. By doing so, the operator can discard the disk cartridge 51 from any of the shelves 3.
To remove the disc cartridge 51-1.
Can continue UNLOAD into the stocker 1, and operability can be improved.

On the other hand, although not shown, the disc cartridge 51-1 stored in the shelf 3-2 is
When the operator inserts a new disk cartridge 51 into one of the shelves 3 while the disk 53 is being driven by the disk drive unit 17 while being transported into the disk drive 9, as shown in FIG. Cartridge 51-
Routine 108 for UNLOADing 1 to the original shelf 3-2
It is supposed to shift to.

Then, the search means appropriately performs judgment 109, 111, or 113 according to the empty state of the shelf 3, and
By performing any one of the corresponding operations 110, 112, and 114, the disk cartridge 51-1 is returned to the predetermined shelf 3. When the disk cartridges 51 have been inserted into all the shelves 3, the operation 115 is executed, and for example, an error message is displayed on the display.

Further, although not shown, when the disk cartridge 51-1 stored in the shelf 3-3 is conveyed into the holder 19 and the disk 53 is driven by the disk drive unit 17, the operator can operate the disk cartridge 51-1. The same applies to a case where a new disk cartridge 51 is inserted into any one of the shelves 3. As shown in FIG. 37, the routine shifts to a routine 116 for UNLOADing the disk cartridge 51-1 to the original shelf 3-3. .

Then, the search means appropriately makes a determination 117, 119 or 121 according to the empty state of the shelf 3, and
By performing any one of the corresponding operations 118, 120, and 122, the disk cartridge 51-1 is returned to the predetermined shelf 3. When the disk cartridges 51 have been inserted into all the shelves 3, the operation 123 is executed, for example, an error message is displayed on the display.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the disk cartridge 51 is returned to the original shelf 3, even if a new disk cartridge is inserted in the shelf 3, the search means can return to the original shelf. Since the empty shelf 3 closest to the shelf 3 can be searched and the disk cartridge can be returned to the empty shelf 3, the disk change operation does not stop and the usability is good and the operability is good. An excellent disc changer device can be realized.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where there are three shelves 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention can be applied to the case where there are n.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The disk cartridge 51-1 stored in the disk drive 5 is transported into the holder 19 and
3 is being driven, the operator can move any of the shelves 3
Similarly, when a new disk cartridge 51 is inserted, the process proceeds to a routine 124 for UNLOADing the disk cartridge 51-1 to the original shelf 3-n.

Then, the search means makes a decision 125, 127, 129, 131, 133,.
Are performed appropriately, and the corresponding operations 126, 128, 130,
132, 134,... That is, when the shelf 3-n is not empty, the shelf 3- (n + 1) closest to the shelf 3-n and then 3- (n-1) are searched,
If there is no free space, operations are sequentially performed such as searching for the next closest shelf 3- (n + 2) and then 3- (n-2), and the disk cartridge 51-1 is emptied.
Is UNLOADed. When the disk cartridges 51 are inserted into all the shelves 3, the operation 135 is started.
And displays an error message on the display, for example.

In the present embodiment, the disc changer device corresponding to the disc cartridge 51 which is the MD disc cartridge has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other types of disc changer devices. .

[0094]

According to the present invention, there is provided a disc changer device capable of accommodating a plurality of discs, a stocker having a plurality of stages of shelves provided with insertion ports, a disc drive unit for driving the discs, Selectively taking out the disc, and transporting the disc to the disc drive unit;
Alternatively, transport means for returning the disk drive to the stocker, disk detection means for detecting whether or not the disk is stored in the shelf, and searching for an empty shelf based on information detected by the disk detection means. When the disk in the disk drive is returned to the stocker, the disk is returned to the empty shelf searched by the search, so that another disk is inserted into the removed shelf. Even if the disk is removed, if the other shelf is empty, the removed disk can be returned to that shelf, so even when the disk is driven by the disk drive, the disk is removed from any shelf. It is possible to insert another disk into the stocker without having to worry about whether the disk is loaded or not. Door can be.

Further, the transport means is provided in the disk drive unit, and the disk drive unit is moved in the stepped direction of the shelf to make the transport means correspond to the predetermined shelf, and the disk is taken out from the shelf. When returning the disk to the stocker from the state in which the disk has been transported to the disk drive unit, the search means starts searching for an empty space from the shelf at the stage where the disk was first taken out, and then returns to the shelf. Since the search for the shelves that are farthest from the closest shelves is performed, the search is performed sequentially from the shelves closer to the taken out shelves, so the position closest to the position of the taken out shelves. The disk can be returned to an empty shelf located in the storage area, and the moving distance of the transporting means can be shortened, so that the return time can be shortened. In addition, the usability can be further improved.

In addition to the display means, when the disk is returned to the stocker, the search means searches the respective shelves, and if there is no empty shelf, the display means returns the disk to the stocker. Is displayed, the operator can be informed that the disc changer device cannot return the disc, and can be prompted to remove the disc from the shelf. Thus, the operation of returning the disk can be continued, and the usability can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disc changer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the stocker 1 showing a mounted state of the shutter 5 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the stocker 1 showing a mounted state of the shutter 5 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a relationship between the stocker 1 and the disk drive unit 17 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 9 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an operation of a shutter 5 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 11 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing attachment of the cam member 7 to the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing attachment of the cam member 7 to the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing attachment of the erroneous insertion prevention member 35 and the detection member 36 to the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the direction of arrow G in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an operation of an erroneous insertion preventing member 35 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 are combined in the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a state where the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 are combined in the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a right side view showing a state where the shutter 5 and the elastic member 6 are combined in the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a shutter 5 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a shutter 5 according to the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a right side view of a shutter 5 according to the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a left side view of the shutter 5 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of an elastic member 6 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a front view of an elastic member 6 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a side view of an elastic member 6 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing a relationship between the stopper 14 and the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 28 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a front view showing a relationship between the stopper 14 and the stocker 1 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of a stopper 14 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 31 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1 according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1 according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1 according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1 according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1 according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of returning the disk cartridge 51-1 to the stocker 1 according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of a stopper 14 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a left side view of the stopper 14 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 relates to the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view seen from a direction D in FIG. 39.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of an arm member 32 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a front view of an arm member 32 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a view of the disc changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction J in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing position detection of the disk cartridge 51 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of detecting the position of the disk cartridge 51 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory view showing an operation of detecting the position of the disk cartridge 51 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of detecting the position of the disk cartridge 51 in the disk changer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a plan view of a detection lever 24 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a front view of the detection lever 24 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 relates to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view as seen from a direction E in FIG. 49.

FIG. 52 is a plan view of a disk cartridge according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a side view of a disk cartridge according to the disk changer device of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 54-54 in FIG. 52 according to the disc changer device of the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stocker 2 Partition plate 3 Shelf 4 Mounting plate 4a Tongue piece 5 Shutter 5a Base 5b Cam 5c Arm 5d Cam 5e Arm 6 Elastic member 6a Mounting 6b Projection 7 Cam member 7a Guide groove 7b Base 7c 7d Cam part 7e Projection 8 Guide rod 9 Coil spring 10 Spring 11 Optical sensor 12 Light emitting element 13 Light receiving element 14 Stopper 14a Cylindrical part 14b Base 14c Engagement part 14d Projection part 14e Engagement part 15 Support 16 Coil spring 17 Disk drive part 18 Main body Part 19 Holder 20 Chassis 20a Engagement part 21 Mode switching lever 21a Arm part 21b Cam part 21c Arm part 21d Press part 22 Detecting means 23 Switch 24 Detection lever 24a Support part 24b Operation part 31 Torsion spring 32 Arm member 32c Press part 33 Spring Locking part 34 Detection switch H 35 Mis-insertion prevention member 35a Mis-insertion prevention protrusion 36 Detection member 36a Detection section 37 Front panel 38 Disk detection switch 51 Disk cartridge 51a Lower wall 51b Hole 51c Upper wall 51d Front end 51e Side wall 51f Notch 51g Notch 51h Notch 51i Slide groove 52 Opening / closing part 53 Disk 54 Metal part 55 Resin part 56 Recording medium part T Light transmitting area

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A stocker having a plurality of shelves, each of which can accommodate a plurality of discs and has an insertion slot, a disc drive unit for driving the discs, and selectively discs stored in the stocker. Transport means for taking out and transporting the disk to the disk drive, or returning from the disk drive to the stocker, disk detection means for detecting whether or not the disk is stored in the shelf, and information detected by the disk detection means Search means for searching for an empty shelf based on the storage means, and when the disk in the disk drive is returned to the stocker, the disk is returned to the empty shelf searched by the search means. A disc changer device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is provided on the disk drive unit, and moves the disk drive unit in a stepwise direction of the shelf unit to make the transport unit correspond to a predetermined shelf unit. When returning the disk to the stocker from a state in which the disk is taken out and transported to the disk drive unit, the search unit starts searching for an empty space from the shelf at the stage where the disk was first taken out, 2. The disc changer device according to claim 1, wherein a search is sequentially performed for the shelves that are farther from the shelves closest to the shelves. 3. A display device, further comprising: when the disk is returned to the stocker, if the search unit searches for each of the shelves, and there is no empty shelf, the display unit displays the disk. 3. The disc changer device according to claim 1, wherein a message indicating that the disc cannot be returned to the stocker is displayed.