JP2002319263A - Disk cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a disk cartridge which surely prevents dust from infiltrating its case and to improve the dustproof property. SOLUTION: The disk cartridge 10 is provided with an opening 60 for accessing disk media 20 above the case 30 containing the disk media 20, and the opening 60 is opened and closed with a 1st shutter 10, having a shutter external surface plate 102 sliding in a recessed part 96 of a 1st shutter shell 90 and a shutter internal surface plate 104 sliding in a recessed part 98. Thus, since the disk cartridge 10 has a double structure with a 1st shutter 100 opening and closing the opening 60 (opening 94) from the inside and the outside the 1st shutter shell 90, dust is surely prevented from infiltrating the case 30. A lower opening 36 of the case 30 is likewise identical.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disk cartridge for rotatably storing a disk-shaped disk medium used as a recording / reproducing medium of an information processing apparatus or the like and for preventing intrusion of dust and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Disc-shaped disc media such as optical discs and magneto-optical discs have been used as portable recording and reproducing media for computers. When recording or reproducing such a disk medium, the recording surface is irradiated with laser light while being rotated while being loaded in a drive device, so that pit formation or phase formation due to decomposition of the dye layer on the recording surface is performed. Information is recorded by a change, magnetization, or the like, or the recorded information is reproduced based on a difference in reflectance or polarization angle of a laser beam.

[0003] In such a disk medium,
In order to increase the recording capacity, it has been proposed to shorten the wavelength of a laser beam applied to a recording surface. When recording or reproducing information using this short-wavelength laser light (for example, blue-violet laser), in order to suppress the attenuation of the laser light by the cover layer that protects the recording surface of the disk medium, It is necessary to reduce the thickness. When the thickness of the cover layer is reduced in this manner, the diameter of the laser beam on the surface of the cover layer (exposed surface to the outside) is reduced, and the influence of dust or the like adhering to the cover layer surface cannot be ignored.

[0004] For this reason, a disk cartridge which accommodates the disk medium in a case and prevents dust and the like from adhering to the disk medium is employed. Such a disk cartridge is configured as a disk cartridge 200 schematically shown in FIG.

The disk cartridge 200 includes a disk medium 202, a case 204 rotatably storing the disk medium 202, an opening 206 provided on both sides of the case 204 to access the disk medium 202, And a shutter member 208 for opening and closing the opening 206.

As a result, the disk cartridge 200
In this configuration, when the disk medium 202 is not used, the opening 206 is closed by the shutter member 208 to prevent dust and the like from entering the case 204 (that is, adhesion of the dust and the like to the disk medium 202).
On the other hand, when the disk medium 202 is used, the shutter member 208 moves and the opening 206 is opened in accordance with the loading into the drive device, thereby opening the disk medium 20.
2 (holding the center hole of the disk medium 202 by the rotating spindle shaft and approaching the laser head to the recording surface).

However, in the disk cartridge 200 as described above, the shutter member 208 is
8B, the arrow A shown in FIG.
, The dust D adhering to the outer surface of the case 204
May enter the case 204 due to sliding (opening of the opening 206) between the outer surface of the case 204 and the shutter member 208. Also, when the opening 206 is closed again, the above-described sliding may cause dust D adhered to the inner surface of the shutter member 208 to enter the case 204.

If the dust D entering the case 204 adheres to the disk medium 202, it causes a loss of a recording or reproduction signal (a so-called dropout). That is, in such a conventional disk cartridge 200, it is difficult to ensure the dustproofness required when using the short-wavelength laser light as described above.

In order to improve the dust resistance, a disk cartridge 300 having a shutter member 308 provided inside as shown in FIG. 9 has been proposed. The disk cartridge 300 includes a disk medium 302 and a case 304 that rotatably accommodates the disk medium 302.
And the disk media 3 provided on both sides of the case 304
02 and the case 304
Member 308 that opens and closes opening 306 from outside
And a case 30 having an opening 310 corresponding to the opening 306.
4 and a cover member 312 for accommodating the shutter member 308.

As a result, the shutter member 308 is attached to the cover member 312 which is the outer surface of the disk cartridge 300.
Does not slide on the outer surface of the cover member 312, the case 30 associated with the opening and closing of the opening 306 of the dust D1 attached to the outer surface of the cover member 312.
4 is prevented from entering.

However, even in such a configuration, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 9B, dust D2 adhering to the outer surface of shutter member 308 is covered by cover member 312.
May slide into the case 304 as the shutter member 308 slides (the opening of the opening 306), and further improvement in dust resistance is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a disk cartridge in which dust is reliably prevented from entering the inside of a case and dust resistance is improved in consideration of the above fact.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a disk cartridge according to the present invention is provided.
A case in which a disk-shaped disk medium is rotatably accommodated, and a case provided with an opening for accessing the disk medium; a shutter support plate provided on an outer surface of the case and having an opening corresponding to the opening; A shutter member has an inner shutter plate and an outer shutter plate facing each other that move along the shutter support plate, and a shutter member that opens and closes the opening from inside and outside of the shutter support plate.

In the disk cartridge according to the first aspect, when the disk medium is not used, the shutter member is located at the closing position and closes the opening for accessing the disk medium from inside and outside of the shutter support plate. That is, the shutter outer plate closes the opening from outside the shutter support plate, and the shutter inner plate closes the opening from inside the shutter support plate (outer case).

On the other hand, when the disk medium is used, the shutter member moves to open the opening from inside and outside of the shutter support plate. As a result, access to the disk medium becomes possible, and recording and reproduction of information are performed.

Here, since the shutter member opens and closes the opening from inside and outside of the shutter support plate, when the opening is opened, sliding of the dust adhering to the outer surface of the shutter support plate between the shutter outer plate and the outer surface of the shutter support plate. Intrusion into the case due to movement is prevented by the shutter inner surface plate.
In addition, when the opening is closed again, dust adhering to the inner surface of the shutter outer plate is prevented from entering the case by the shutter inner plate.

On the other hand, the shutter inner plate is prevented from being exposed to the outside by the shutter outer plate closing the opening from the outside of the shutter support plate when the opening is closed, so that dust is prevented from adhering to the outer surface. ing. Therefore, intrusion of dust into the case due to sliding between the shutter inner plate and the shutter support plate inner surface is reduced or prevented.

As described above, in the disk cartridge according to the first aspect, the intrusion of dust into the interior of the case is reliably prevented, and the dustproofness is improved.

Further, in the disk cartridge having the above structure, the shutter member may have a structure in which a shutter inner plate and a shutter outer plate are connected to each other, and move integrally to open and close the opening.

In this configuration, since the shutter inner plate and the shutter outer plate move integrally to open and close the opening, an interlocking mechanism between the shutter inner plate and the shutter outer plate can be dispensed with, and the structure is simplified. . Further, the drive mechanism (for example, a drive device) of the shutter member can be simplified.

Further, in the above-mentioned disk cartridge in which the shutter inner plate and the shutter outer plate move integrally, the shutter inner plate and the shutter outer plate are the same in size or the shutter inner plate is larger than the shutter outer plate. May be wide in the direction of closing the opening.

In this configuration, the shutter inner plate and the shutter outer plate that move integrally opposite to each other are the same size, or the shutter inner plate is wider than the shutter outer plate in the direction of closing the opening of the shutter member. Then, since there is a portion of the shutter inner plate facing the end of the shutter outer plate, dust intrusion into the case due to sliding between the shutter outer plate and the shutter support plate outer surface is ensured by the shutter inner plate. Can be blocked. In particular, in a configuration in which the shutter inner plate is wider than the shutter outer plate (the end protrudes), dust that enters the case and adheres to the outer surface of the shutter outer plate and cannot follow the movement of the shutter outer plate in the opening direction. Can also be prevented.

Still further, in the disk cartridge of each of the above structures, the openings are provided on both sides of the case.
The shutter support plates may be provided on both sides of the case, and the openings may be opened and closed by the shutter members.

In this configuration, openings for accessing the disk media are provided on both sides of the case, and correspondingly, shutter support plates and shutter members are provided on both sides of the case. For this reason, the intrusion of dust into the inside of the case through the respective openings is reliably prevented, and the dustproofness is improved.

In a disc cartridge having openings on both sides of a case, a shutter member for opening and closing one of the openings provided on both sides and a shutter member for opening and closing the other opening are provided on the case. A configuration is also possible in which each of the openings is connected to a common shutter operation member movable along the side surface, and integrally moves with the movement of the shutter operation member to open and close the openings.

In this configuration, one shutter member and the other shutter member are connected via the shutter operation member, and are moved integrally by operating the shutter operation member to open and close the openings. This eliminates the need for an interlocking mechanism for the shutter member, thereby simplifying the structure.
In addition, a drive mechanism (for example, a drive device) of the shutter member is sufficient if the shutter operation member is operated, and can have a simple structure.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A disk cartridge 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the drawings, arrows FR and R
When E, arrow UP, arrow LO, arrow RI, and arrow LE are indicated, the disk cartridge 10
Of the disk cartridge 10 when viewed in the direction of loading (insertion) into the drive device of the disk drive 10, the rearward direction, the upward direction, the downward direction, the rightward direction, and the leftward direction. When indicating up, down, front, back, right and left, it corresponds to each of the above arrow directions. In addition, it is needless to say that these directions are shown for the sake of convenience, and do not limit the directions when the disk cartridge 10 is used. Therefore, for example, the disk cartridge 10 may be arranged horizontally (whether it is up or down) when used.
It may be arranged vertically.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of the disk cartridge 10, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the disk cartridge 10. As shown in these drawings, the disk cartridge 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and includes a disk-shaped disk medium 20 as an information recording / reproducing medium.

The disk medium 20 is formed in a disk shape having a center hole 22 in the center, and the recording surfaces formed on the lower surface 24A and the upper surface 24B are covered and protected by a cover layer (both not shown). . This disk media 2
An annular center core 26 is attached to the 0 center hole 22 by bonding or the like. This center core part 26
When the disk medium is used, the disk medium is engaged or held by suction at the tip of the rotary spindle shaft of the drive device.

The disk medium 20 is located at a substantially central portion of the disk cartridge 10 in the vertical direction.
0. The case 30 is formed by joining a lower shell 32 and an upper shell 34 which are formed substantially vertically symmetrically.

The lower shell 32 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the disk cartridge 10 in a plan view, and has an opening 36 at the center in the left-right direction. The opening 36 has a circular hub hole 38 provided substantially at the center of the lower shell 32 and having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the center core 26 of the disk medium 20, and has a width corresponding to the diameter of the hub hole 38. A substantially rectangular recording / reproducing head window 40 is provided in front of the hub hole 38 and extends to the front end of the lower shell 32.

A substantially short cylindrical inner wall 42 is provided upright on the lower shell 32 except for a portion where the opening 36 is formed. The inner diameter of the inner wall 42 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the disk medium 20. Outside the inner wall 42, the lower shell 3
An outer wall 44 is provided upright along the peripheral edge except for the front edge of the second. The outer wall 44 is at the same height as the inner wall 42,
The rear, left, and right portions are integrated with the inner wall 42.

Further, a front wall 46 is provided upright at a front edge of the lower shell 32 to the left of the opening 38. Front wall 46
Is a limiter forming part 4 whose left end is at the same height as the outer wall 44.
8, and a portion excluding the limiter forming portion 48 is a slit forming portion 50 lower than the limiter forming portion 48. On the other hand, the front edge portion 32A to the right of the opening 38 of the lower shell 32 has no wall portion, and the position of the front end portion is set back from the front end surface of the front wall 46 by the thickness of the front wall 46. I have.

A sliding guide wall 52 having a length and a height corresponding to the slit forming portion 50 is provided between the front wall 46 and the inner wall 42 in parallel with the front wall 46. On the other hand, the sliding guide wall 5 extends between the front edge 32A of the lower shell 32 and the inner wall 42 along the longitudinal extension of the sliding guide wall 52.
2 is provided with a sliding guide wall 54 of the same height.

Further, a substantially rectangular block-shaped stopper forming portion 56 projects forward from the right front corner of the lower shell 32. The stopper forming portion 56 has the same height as the outer wall 44, and a spring locking portion 58 is provided at a rear end thereof.

On the other hand, the upper shell 34 is formed substantially vertically symmetrically with the lower shell 32 as described above, and differs from the lower shell 32 only in that no spring locking portion is provided. That is, the upper shell 34 has an opening 60 corresponding to the opening 36,
An inner wall 62 corresponding to the inner wall 42, an outer wall 64 corresponding to the outer wall 44, a front wall 66 corresponding to the front wall 46, a limiter forming part 68 corresponding to the limiter forming part 48, and a slit corresponding to the slit forming part 50 It is configured to include a forming portion 70, sliding guide walls 72 and 74 corresponding to the sliding guide walls 52 and 54, and a stopper forming portion 76 corresponding to the stopper forming portion 56 and having no spring locking portion. ing.

Thus, the lower shell 32 and the upper shell 34
Is bonded in a state where the upper end surfaces of the inner wall 42, the outer wall 44, the limiter forming portion 48, and the stopper forming portion 56 and the lower end surfaces of the inner wall 62, the outer wall 64, the limiter forming portion 68, and the stopper forming portion 76 abut against each other. , Welding, screwing, and the like.

In this joined state, as shown in a sectional view in FIG. 3, the disk medium 20 is rotatably accommodated inside an internal space formed by the inner walls 42 and 62.
Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the limiter forming sections 48 and 68
Forms a limiter 80 for restricting the movement of a shutter moving plate 130 to be described later, and the slit forming portions 50 and 70 face each other to form a slit 82 for inserting the shutter moving plate 130.

On the other hand, an opening formed between the front edge 32A of the lower shell 32 and the front edge 34A of the upper shell 34 is formed as a plate window 84 for inserting the shutter moving plate 130. (See FIG. 1). Further, the left end surfaces of the stopper forming portions 56 and 76 form a stopper 86 for restricting the movement of the shutter moving plate 130.
In this state, the sliding guide walls 52 and 54 and the sliding guide walls 72 and 74 are arranged to face each other.

A first shutter shell 90 and a second shutter shell 92 as shutter support plates are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the case 30 described above. The first shutter shell 90 and the second shutter shell 9
2 are formed symmetrically with each other.

The first shutter shell 90 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the case 30 in a plan view, and an opening 94 formed corresponding to the opening 60 of the upper shell 34 has a position corresponding to the opening 60. It is provided in. In the first shutter shell 90, the position of the front end on the left side of the opening 94 corresponds to the position of the front end surface of the front wall 66 of the upper shell 34, and the front end on the right side of the opening 94 is in front of the upper shell 34. It protrudes slightly forward from the edge 34A, and the vicinity of the right end further protrudes forward corresponding to the stopper 86 of the case 30.

On both upper and lower surfaces of the first shutter shell 90, concave portions 96 and 98 corresponding to a moving range of the first shutter 100 described later are provided, respectively. Recess 9
6, 98 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape surrounding the opening 94;
The left end is slightly to the left of the left end of the opening 94, and the right end is a position corresponding to the stopper 86 of the case 30 (the left end surface of the stopper forming portion 76).

The portions of the recesses 96 and 98 to the right of the opening 94 have a width in the left-right direction larger than the width of the opening 94, and constitute shutter storage portions 96A and 98A. On the other hand, narrow portions on the left side of the openings 94 of the concave portions 96 and 98 constitute shutter holding portions 96B and 98B.

The first shutter shell 90 is provided with a first shutter 100 as a shutter member. The first shutter 100 includes a rectangular shutter outer plate 102 and a shutter inner plate 104 that can close the opening 94. Each of the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 has a width dimension in the left-right direction corresponding to the shutter storage portions 96A, 98A, and a length dimension in the front-rear direction corresponds to a length dimension in the front-rear direction of the recesses 96, 98. And have the same shape (area) as each other. The thickness of the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 is slightly smaller than the depth of the concave portions 96 and 98, respectively.

The first shutter 100 has a connecting portion 106 at the front end, and the connecting portion 106 connects the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 in a state where they are opposed to each other over the entire surface. It is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed.

As described above, in the first shutter shell 90, the shutter outer plate 102 is slidably disposed in the recess 96, and the shutter inner plate 104 is slidably disposed in the recess 98. The opening 94 (opening 60) is opened and closed by sliding the concave portions 96 and 98 integrally with the shutter inner surface plate 104.

That is, the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 are connected to the shutter storage portions 96A and 96A.
When it is located at 8A, the opening 94 is opened, and when its left end is located at the shutter holding portions 96B, 98B, the opening 94 is closed. The concave 9
The rear end of the shutter outer plate 102 is slidable from above so that the rear end of the shutter outer plate 102 does not interfere with the opening 94. Coated. This prevents the shutter outer panel 102 from being turned.

On the other hand, the second shutter shell 92 is formed vertically symmetrically with the first shutter shell 90 as described above, and the opening 110 corresponding to the opening 94 (opening 36).
112, 114 (shutter storage units 112A, 114A and shutter holding unit 112) corresponding to the depressions 96, 98 (moving range of the second shutter 120 described later).
B, 114B).

The second shutter 120 as a shutter member is formed in the same shape as the first shutter 100. That is, the second shutter 120 includes the shutter outer plate 122, the shutter inner plate 124, and the connecting portion 126, and is configured to open and close the opening 110. Further, the shutter outer surface plate 122 is covered with a shutter leading end suppressing plate 128 whose rear end is bonded to the rear end of the concave portion 114 or the like to prevent the shutter from being turned up.

The first shutter shell 9 described above
The zero and second shutter shells 92 are fixedly held to the case 30 by bonding, welding, screwing, or the like. That is, the first shutter shell 90 is
The second shutter shell 92 is fixedly held by the upper shell 34 in a state where the lower surface except for the upper shell 34 is in contact with the upper surface of the upper shell 34.
Is fixedly held on the lower shell 32 with the upper surface excluding the concave portion 112 abutting against the lower surface of the lower shell 32.

The disk cartridge 10 includes a shutter moving plate 13 as a shutter operating member.
0, the shutter moving plate 130
Includes a shutter connection unit 132.

The shutter connector 132 has a height corresponding to the height of the case 30 and a width in the left-right direction of the shutter housing 96A (98A, 112A, 11A).
It is formed in a rectangular plate shape in front view corresponding to the width dimension of 4A). Thereby, the shutter connection part 132 is configured to be able to close the front of the openings 36 and 60 of the case 30. As shown in FIG. 4, a spring locking hole 132A is provided at the right end of the shutter connection portion 132.

At the rear part of the shutter connection part 132, a step part 134 whose upper and lower ends are cut is formed.
The step 134 can be inserted into the plate window 84 of the case 30. At the right end of the shutter connection portion 132, a thin constricted portion 136 extends rearward from the vertical center of the step portion 134. Further, an engagement portion 138 is provided behind the constricted portion 136 so as to protrude up and down over the entire width thereof.

The constricted portion 136 is thick enough to pass between the sliding guide walls 54, 74 of the case 30, and the engaging portion 138 is engageable with the sliding guide walls 54, 74. The widths of the constricted portion 136 and the engaging portion 138 in the left-right direction are determined so as not to interfere with the inner walls 42, 62 when the openings 36, 60 described later are closed.

A connecting portion 140 extends from the left vertical center portion of the shutter connecting portion 132 along the front end surface of the shutter connecting portion 132. Connecting part 140
The thickness of the shutter connection portion 132 (including the step portion 134) is set to a thickness (a thickness in the vertical direction) capable of closing the slit 82 while being inserted into the slit 82 of the case 30. Corresponding to the width dimension.

At the left end of the connecting portion 140, the connecting portion 1
An operation unit 142 is provided that protrudes up and down along the front end surface of the unit 40. The width of the operation portion 142 in the front-rear direction is larger than the width of the shutter connection portion 132 in the front-rear direction excluding the step portion 134 by the thickness of the front walls 46 and 66 (the front wall 4).
6, 66) and the front edges 32A, 34A).

The connecting portion 140 at the rear of the operation portion 142 is further extended rearward, and an engagement portion 144 projecting up and down is provided at the rear end portion so as to face the operation portion 142. The connecting portion 140 can be inserted into the slit 82 and can pass between the sliding guide walls 52, 72, and the engaging portion 144 can be engaged with the sliding guide walls 52, 72. The position of the engaging portion 144 in the front-rear direction corresponds to the position of the engaging portion 138 in the front-rear direction. The length of the connecting portion 140 between the left end surface of the shutter connecting portion 132 and the right end surface of the operation portion 142 is the case 3
It corresponds to the width dimension of the openings 36, 60 in the left-right direction.

The shutter moving plate 130 is
As shown in FIG. 3, the step portion 134 is slidably inserted into the upper and lower inner surfaces of the plate window portion 84, and the constricted portion 1 is formed.
36 passes between the sliding guide walls 54 and 74 and
8 is slidably disposed between the sliding guide walls 54, 74 and the inner walls 42, 62 with the rear end surfaces of the sliding guide walls 54, 74. In this state, the shutter connection part 132 is
0 slidably in contact with the front edges 32A and 34A.

In this state, the connecting portion 140 is inserted into the slit 82 and passes between the sliding guide walls 52, 72, and the engaging portion 144 is connected to the sliding guide walls 52, 72 and the inner walls 42, 62. The sliding guide walls 52 and 72 are slidably disposed between the rear end faces of the sliding guide walls 52 and 72. In this state, the operation unit 142
Are slidably in contact with the front walls 46 and 66.

Thus, the shutter moving plate 1
Reference numeral 30 denotes a state in which the front end of the case 30 is movable (slidable) in the left-right direction in a state where it is prevented from falling off the case 30. Further, one end of a torsion spring 150 disposed between the inner walls 42, 62 of the case 30 and the sliding guide walls 54, 74 is held in the spring locking hole 132A of the shutter moving plate 130. The other end of the torsion spring 150 is locked by the spring locking portion 58 of the case 30 (the lower shell 32), and the shutter moving plate 130 is urged to the left of the case 30. The left end of the connecting portion 140 is connected to the limiter 80 of the case 30.
, The shutter moving plate 130 is restricted from moving the case 30 to the left.

The shutter moving plate 1 described above
Reference numeral 30 denotes a shutter connection unit 13 as shown in FIG.
The first shutter 100 (shutter inner plate 104) is connected to the upper end surface of the second by adhesive, and the second shutter 120 (shutter inner plate 124) is connected to the lower end surface of the shutter connecting portion 132 by adhesive. Are designed to move together.

As described above, the first shutter 100, the second shutter
The shutter 120 includes a shutter moving plate 130.
Due to the urging force of the torsion spring 150 acting on the first shutter 100, the first shutter 100 is normally located at the closing position of the opening 94, 110 (the opening 60, 36) (the left end of the first shutter 100 is located at the shutter holding portions 96B, 98B, The left end of the second shutter 120 is the shutter holding units 112B and 114
(Located at B) to keep the openings 94 and 110 closed. In this state, the shutter connection part 132 closes the front of the openings 36 and 60.

On the other hand, when the shutter moving plate 130 is moved rightward against the urging force of the torsion spring 150, both the first shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 are moved rightward, and the respective shutter storage portions are moved. 96
A, 98A, 112A, 114A, opening 94,
110 (openings 60 and 36) is opened. In this state, the connecting portion 140 is located in front of the openings 36 and 60, and the connecting portion 140 is positioned from the front of the disk cartridge 10.
And a recording / reproducing head of the drive device can be approached through upper and lower spaces.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the disk cartridge 10 having the above structure, when the disk medium 20 is not used, the openings 36 and 60 for accessing the disk medium 20 are provided in the first position.
The shutter 100, the second shutter 120, and the shutter moving plate 130 are closed.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6,
The torsion spring 150 presses the shutter moving plate 130 to the left by the urging force, and the left end of the shutter moving plate 130 contacts the limiter 80, and the left end of the first shutter 100 is the shutter holding portion 96.
B, 98B, and the left end of the second shutter 120 is located at the shutter holding portions 112B, 114B to close the openings 94, 110 communicating with the openings 36, 60, respectively.

Thus, when the disk medium 20 is not used, the disk cartridge 10 (case 30)
Intrusion of dust into the inside, that is, adhesion of dust to the recording surfaces (cover layers) formed on the lower surface 24A and the upper surface 24B of the disk medium 20 is prevented.

When using the disk medium 20 (when recording information on the disk medium 20 or reproducing information recorded on the disk medium 20), the disk cartridge 10 is loaded into a drive device.

When the disk cartridge 10 is loaded into the drive device, an operation arm (not shown) of the drive device presses the operation portion 142 rightward while engaging with the operation portion 142 of the shutter moving plate 130. This pressing force causes the shutter moving plate 130 to move rightward against the urging force of the torsion spring 150.

When the shutter moving plate 130 moves to the right, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first shutter 10 connected to the shutter moving plate 130 is moved.
0 and the second shutter 120 move to the right, and the shutter storage sections 96A, 98A, 112A, 114, respectively.
The openings 36 and 60 (openings 94 and 110) are opened at the position A.

At this time, the shutter moving plate 13
0 (shutter connection part 132) is a stopper 86
Plate 130 for moving the shutter further in contact with
The movement of the first shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 is prevented (see FIG. 5).

In this state, the opening 3 from which the closed state is released
The rotary spindle shaft is inserted from the hub hole 38 of No. 6. This rotating spindle shaft holds the center core 26 of the disk medium 20 at the tip end by engagement, suction, or the like.
The disk medium 20 is rotated around the axis. Also,
A recording / reproducing head is inserted from the recording / reproducing head window 40 of the opening 36 and the opening 60, and records information on the recording surface of the disk medium 20, or reproduces the information recorded on the recording surface.

On the other hand, when the disk cartridge 10 is ejected from the drive device, the engagement state between the operation arm of the drive device and the operation portion 142 of the shutter movement plate 130 is released, and the shutter movement plate 13
0 moves leftward due to the urging force of the torsion spring 150.

The shutter moving plate 130 that has moved to the left has its left end abutted against the limiter 80 to prevent further movement to the left (see FIG. 1), and the first shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 for each opening 3
The shutter connection portion 132 is positioned in front of the openings 36 and 60 while the shutter connection portion 132 is positioned at the closed position of the shutters 6 and 60.

Thus, in the disk cartridge 10, the opening 3 for accessing the disk medium 20 is formed.
6, 60 are closed, and return to the initial state where dust is prevented from entering the case 30. In this process (opening 36,
The disk cartridge 10 is ejected from the drive device by the biasing force of the torsion spring 150 while closing the disk cartridge 60. The disk cartridge 10 has the opening 3
After the closing of 6, 60 (after returning to the initial position), it may be discharged by the discharge mechanism of the drive device.

Here, the first shutter 100 includes a shutter outer plate 102 and a shutter inner plate 104,
In order to open and close the opening 94 (opening 60) from inside and outside (lower top) of the shutter shell 90, dust adhering to the concave portion 96 due to the movement of the shutter outer surface plate 102 that moves while sliding with the concave portion 96 enters the case 30. Intrusion is prevented by the shutter inner surface plate 104.

That is, even if dust adhering to the recess 96 tries to enter the case 30 through the opening 94 from between the shutter outer surface plate 102 and the first shutter shell 90 when the opening 94 (opening 60) is opened, It is captured (trapped) by the inner surface plate 104. The opening 9
4 (opening 60) when closing the shutter again
Intrusion of dust adhering to the inner surface of the case 02 into the case 30 is also prevented by the shutter inner surface plate 104.

Similarly, the second shutter 120 includes a shutter outer plate 122 and a shutter inner plate 124, and the opening 11 is opened from inside and outside (up and down) of the second shutter shell 92.
0 (opening 36) to open and close, the recess 1 accompanying the movement of the shutter outer surface plate 122 that moves while sliding with the recess 114.
Intrusion of dust adhering to the inside of the case 30 is prevented by the shutter inner surface plate 124.

That is, the dust adhering to the concave portion 114 is
When the opening 110 (opening 36) is opened, the shutter outer plate 12 is opened.
An attempt to enter the case 30 through the opening 110 from between the second and second shutter shells 92 is trapped by the shutter inner surface plate 124. Also,
Dust adhering to the inner surface of the shutter outer plate 122 when the opening 110 (opening 36) is closed again is also prevented by the shutter inner plate 124 from entering the case 30.

On the other hand, the shutter inner plates 104 and 124
In the closed state of the openings 36 and 60, exposure to the outside is prevented by the shutter outer surface plates 102 and 122, so that dust is prevented from adhering to the surfaces (outer surfaces). For this reason, the shutter inner plates 104, 124 associated with the sliding of the shutter inner plates 104, 124 and the concave portions 98, 112,
Intrusion of dust into case 30 via 124 is also reduced or prevented.

As described above, in the disk cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, the intrusion of dust into the case 30 is reliably prevented, and the dust resistance is improved.

Here, the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 move integrally (without a time lag) to open and close the opening 60 (opening 94), and the shutter outer plate 122 and the shutter inner plate 124 integrally form. For example, the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 10 are moved to open and close the opening 36 (opening 110).
4 can be eliminated, and the structure can be simplified. Further, the shutter opening / closing mechanism (operation arm or the like) of the drive device can be simplified.

Further, since the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 have the same shape (area) and are connected to each other by the connecting portion 106 so as to face the entire surface, in other words, the shutter outer plate 102 Since the shutter inner surface plate 104 exists over the entire surface below the face plate 102 (particularly, at the end on the side passing over the opening 60), the shutter that prevents dust adhering to the concave portion 96 of the first shutter shell 90 from entering. It can be surely prevented by the inner surface plate 104. Similarly, since the shutter inner plate 124 is present over the entire surface above the shutter outer plate 122, the intrusion of dust adhering to the recess 114 of the second shutter shell 92 can be reliably prevented by the shutter inner plate 124.

Here, the first shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 are the shutter moving plate 1
By operating the operation unit 142 of the shutter moving plate 130 to open and close each of the openings, a complicated interlocking mechanism is not required and the structure is simplified. Further, the shutter opening / closing mechanism (the operation arm or the like) of the drive device can have a simple structure.

In the above embodiment, the shutter outer plate 102 and the shutter inner plate 104 are connected to the connecting portion 10.
6 and move integrally, and the shutter outer plate 1
22 and the shutter inner plate 124 are connected via the connecting portion 126 and are preferably moved integrally. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
2 and a predetermined time difference between the movement of the shutter inner plate 104 (for example, when the opening 60 is opened, the shutter outer plate 10
2 starts moving first, and the shutter inner plate 1
04 starts moving first).

In the above embodiment, the shutter outer surface plate 102 and the shutter inner surface plate 104 face each other in the same shape, and the shutter outer surface plate 122 and the shutter inner surface plate 124 have the same shape in the entire surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shutter inner plates 104 and 124
It may be larger than 122. In this case, for example, the end of the shutter inner plate 104 that passes through the opening 60 when the opening 60 is opened and closed protrudes from the end of the shutter outer plate 102 (the width is wider in the closing direction of the opening 94 or the like). Is desirable. In this configuration, the shutter outer plate 102
Dust that cannot adhere to the movement (acceleration) of the shutter outer plate 102 in the opening opening direction and adheres to the outer surface of the shutter can be prevented from entering the case 30.

Further, in the above embodiment, the disk medium 20 is of the double-sided recording type and the openings 60 and 36 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the disk cartridge 10, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the disk medium 20 may be of a single-sided recording type and the openings 36 and the like may be provided only on one of the upper and lower surfaces of the disk cartridge 10. Further, in the configuration in which the openings are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the disk cartridge 10, it goes without saying that the first shutter 100 and the like according to the present invention may be applied to only one of the openings. Further, in the above embodiment, the opening 36 (the opening 110) and the opening 60 (the opening 94) have the same shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Hub hole 3
It is good also as a structure which does not have a part corresponding to 8.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first
Although the shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 are connected via the shutter moving plate 130 and are preferably moved integrally, the present invention is not limited to this.
It goes without saying that the first shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 may be driven separately from each other.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first shutter 100 and the second shutter 120 are configured to move directly along the front end of the case 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. One shutter 100 may be configured to rotate along the inner wall 62 to open and close the opening 60. Further, the first shutter 100 (shutter outer plate 10)
2. The configuration is not limited to a configuration in which the shutter inner plate 104) or the like is formed so as to be capable of independently opening and closing the opening 60 and the like. 60) may be divided into two so as to open and close. In this case, the shutter inner plate 1
Reference numeral 04 also corresponds to the shutter outer plate 102.

[0091]

As described above, the disk cartridge according to the present invention has an excellent effect that dust is reliably prevented from entering the inside of the case and the dustproofness is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a disk cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an opening is closed.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the disk cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a shutter moving plate constituting the disk cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the disk cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention in an open state of the opening;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional disk cartridge, wherein FIG.
(B) is a sectional view showing an open state of the opening.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional disk cartridge in which a shutter member is provided, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an opening is closed, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 disk cartridge 14 opening 20 disk medium 30 case 36 opening (one opening) 60 opening (other opening) 90 first shutter shell (shutter support plate) 92 second shutter shell (shutter support plate) 94 opening (case opening) 100 First shutter (shutter member) 102 Shutter outer plate 104 Shutter inner plate 110 Opening (opening corresponding to case opening) 120 Second shutter (shutter member) 122 Shutter outer plate 124 Shutter inner plate 130 Shutter Moving plate (shutter operation member)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A case in which a disk-shaped disk medium is rotatably accommodated and an opening for accessing the disk medium is provided, and a shutter provided on an outer surface of the case and having an opening corresponding to the opening. A support plate, comprising: a shutter inner plate and a shutter outer plate facing each other that move along the shutter support plate; and a shutter member that opens and closes the opening from inside and outside of the shutter support plate. Disc cartridge.