JP2005149697A - Disk carrier device and disk apparatus having it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the depth size of a disk apparatus itself by devising the carrying direction of a disk so as to reduce linear stroke in the case of loading and unloading the disk. <P>SOLUTION: This disk carrier device is provided in a disk apparatus M for carrying the disk 3 between a first position outside of the disk apparatus and a second position inside of the disk apparatus. The disk carrier device is provided with a revolving mechanism for revolving the disk 3 by substantially 90° within a surface substantially parallel to the recording medium of the disk regarding at least a part of a carrier path between the first position and the second position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a disk transport device that transports a disk as an information recording medium between a first position outside a disk device and a second position inside the disk device, and a disk device including such a disk transport device.

Conventionally, as a disk device that records and / or reproduces an information signal with respect to a disk as an information recording medium, the disk is attached to a disk attachment / detachment position (first position) outside the disk device and a recording / reproduction position (second position) inside the disk device. Those that can be transported to and from the position are generally well known.
In the present specification, “recording and / or reproduction” means “at least one of recording and reproduction”, which is expressed in a simplified manner. In addition, the term “disk” includes not only “disc alone = so-called bare disk” but also “disk with cartridge” stored in a cartridge. Is simply referred to as a “disk”.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes a transport device that transports a bare disc or a disc containing a cartridge. When recording and / or reproducing an information signal to / from the disc, the disc is attached to or detached from the disc device by the transport device. A configuration is disclosed in which the recording medium is linearly carried from the position (first position) to the recording / reproducing position (second position above the turntable) inside the disk device.
As described above, in the conventional disk device, the disk generally reciprocates linearly between the first position and the second position through the disk inlet / outlet opening provided on the front surface of the disk device. .

For example, in a so-called DVD-RAM cartridge, an openable / closable window is preferably provided in the cartridge case in order to record and / or reproduce an information signal with respect to a disk accommodated therein. This window portion is usually formed so as to extend in the same direction as the cartridge transport direction. Therefore, the optical head that performs recording and / or reproduction with respect to the disk is configured to reciprocate in the same direction as the disk transport direction.
JP 7-161112 A

  However, in the conventional disk device, the transport device must transport the disk with a linear stroke from the disk attachment / detachment position outside the disk device to the recording / reproduction position inside the disk device through the disk insertion / exit opening. The required stroke for transporting the disk is inevitably longer. Therefore, it is disadvantageous in reducing the depth size of the disk device itself and making it compact.

Further, when using a disk containing a cartridge such as a DVD-RAM cartridge, as described above, the recording / reproducing window provided on the cartridge is opened so as to extend in the same direction as the disk conveying direction. Therefore, it is necessary to match the transport direction of the optical head with the disk transport direction. Accordingly, in this case, the depth size of the disk device is further increased in order to ensure the transfer range of the optical head.
In particular, when the disk device is integrated and used in a thin image display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a plasma display panel (PDP), the disk device needs to be made more compact. In the conventional structure, as described above, it is difficult to reduce the depth size, and it is actually impossible to sufficiently meet such a demand.

  In addition, since the cartridge such as the DVD-RAM generally defines the cartridge insertion direction and the position where the cartridge is held, inserting the cartridge in a direction different from the specified normal insertion direction is as follows. This is accompanied by great inconvenience and discomfort for the user, and the operability of the disk device is impaired accordingly.

  In relation to the above problems, the disk device may be a so-called vertical type in which the disk handling posture is set in the vertical direction, and the disk may be carried into and out of the device while maintaining the disk in a vertical posture. In this case, the workability when holding the bare disk or cartridge on the conveying device side (specifically, on the disk tray) is deteriorated, and the stability during the conveyance is also lowered. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the technical problems as described above, and devise a transport direction when a disk is transported between a disk attachment / detachment position outside the disk device and a recording / reproducing position inside the disk device. Accordingly, it is a basic object to shorten the linear stroke when loading and unloading the disc and to make the depth size of the disc device itself compact.

  For this reason, the disk transport apparatus according to the present invention is provided in a disk apparatus that records and / or reproduces information signals with respect to a disk as an information recording medium. A disc transport device that transports the disc between the first position and the second position at least part of the transport path between the first position and the second position. And a turning mechanism that turns substantially 90 degrees in a plane parallel to the head.

  In this configuration, the disk is transported so as to be swiveled substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk by the swivel mechanism for at least a part of the transport path.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk transport device provided in a disk device that records and / or reproduces an information signal with respect to a disk as an information recording medium. A disk transport device for transporting to and from a second position inside the device, wherein the disk is transferred to a disk loading / unloading portion of the disk device for a part of a transport path between the first position and the second position. A linear movement mechanism for linearly moving the disk by a predetermined amount, and a turning mechanism for turning the disk substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk for the remaining part of the transport path. When the disk is transported from the first position to the second position, the disk is moved from the disk loading / unloading section by the linear movement mechanism. After retracted linearly by a predetermined amount to the inner, is substantially pivot 90 degrees in the recording plane substantially parallel to the plane of the disk by the pivoting mechanism, it is obtained by it said.

  In this configuration, the disk is linearly moved by a predetermined amount with respect to the disk loading / unloading portion of the disk device by the linear movement mechanism for a part of the transport path, and the remaining part of the transport path is by the turning mechanism. The disk is conveyed so as to turn substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk. In particular, when transporting the disk from the first position to the second position, the disk is linearly drawn into the disk device from the disk loading / unloading section, and then the disk The sheet is conveyed so as to turn substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface.

  In this case, more specifically, a first gear disposed on a disk holding member that holds the disk, a second gear that engages with the first gear, and a motor that engages with the second gear. A third gear that rotates by the driving force of the first gear, a first connecting member that rotatably connects the rotating shaft of the first gear and the rotating shaft of the second gear, and the rotating shaft of the second gear. And a second connecting member that rotatably connects the rotation shaft of the third gear, and a transport base that supports the disc holding member in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disc. A guide mechanism for guiding the transport operation of the disk holding member is provided. When the third gear is rotated by the driving force of the motor, the second gear and the first gear are sequentially rotated, and the disk is positioned. Recording of the disc after a fixed amount has been pulled When to pivot substantially 90 degrees substantially within the plane parallel to the conveying operation of the disc holding member is guided, it is preferable.

  In this configuration, by driving the motor to rotate the third gear, the first gear disposed on the disk holding member is rotated, and thereby the recording surface of the disk after the disk is pulled in a predetermined amount. The disk holding member is guided to be rotated so as to be rotated substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the surface.

In the above case, the disk may be stored in a disk cartridge.
In this case, the above-described disk transport device can be applied to a so-called cartridge-containing disk. In particular, in a disc containing a cartridge, the recording / reproducing window provided in the cartridge is opened so as to extend in the same direction as the disc carrying direction, and therefore the optical head transport direction and the disc carrying direction must be matched. In order to secure the transport range of the optical head, the depth size of the disk device is generally larger. By applying the above disk transport device, the depth size of the disk device used for the cartridge-containing disk is compared. Can be kept small.

Furthermore, a disk device according to the present invention is a disk device that records and / or reproduces an information signal on a disk as an information recording medium, and the disk is located at a first position outside the disk device and a first position inside the disk device. Any of the above disk transport apparatuses is provided as a disk transport apparatus for transporting between two positions.
In this case, when the disk is transported between the first position and the second position, the same operation as any of the above-described disk transport apparatuses can be obtained.

  According to the disk transport device of the present invention, at least a part of the transport path between the first position outside the disk device and the second position inside the disk device, the disk is recorded by the turning mechanism. It is conveyed so as to pivot substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the plane. Therefore, the linear stroke when loading and unloading the disk is shortened by that much in the range where the disk is conveyed by the turning movement, and the depth size of the disk device itself can be reduced.

In addition, according to the disk transport device according to another invention of the present application, the disk moves in the linear movement mechanism for a part of the transport path between the first position outside the disk device and the second position inside the disk device. Is moved linearly by a predetermined amount with respect to the disk entry / exit part of the disk device, and the remaining part of the transport path is substantially 90 in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk by the turning mechanism. It is conveyed so as to turn. Accordingly, the linear stroke when loading and unloading the disk is reduced by that amount for the remaining part of the transport path in which the disk is transported in a swivel movement, and the depth size of the disk device itself can be reduced. it can.
In particular, when transporting the disk from the first position to the second position, the disk is linearly drawn into the disk device from the disk loading / unloading section, and then the disk Since it is transported so as to turn substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface, when loading a disk, the constant transport range from the start of transport is the same as in the conventional disk device. A disk pulling operation linear in the normal insertion direction is performed, and then a disk turning operation is performed. Therefore, the disk does not start to turn suddenly with the start of conveyance, and it can be avoided that the user feels uncomfortable in operating the disk.

  In this case, preferably, the first gear disposed on the disk holding member for holding the disk, the second gear engaged with the first gear, and the second gear engaged with the second gear are driven by the driving force of the motor. A third gear that rotates, and when the third gear rotates by the driving force of the motor, the second gear and the first gear rotate sequentially, and after the disk is pulled in a predetermined amount, it is substantially the same as the recording surface of the disk. The conveying operation of the disk holding member is guided so as to be rotated substantially 90 degrees in the parallel plane. As a result, in the case of loading a disk, it is possible to reliably perform a linear disk pull-in operation within a certain conveyance range from the start of conveyance, and thereafter to reliably perform a disk turning operation.

  Further, the above-described disk transport device can be applied not only to so-called bare disks but also to cartridge-containing disks, so that the depth size of the disk device used for the cartridge-containing disks can be kept relatively small. That is, in a disk with a cartridge, the recording / reproducing window provided on the cartridge is opened so as to extend in the same direction as the disk transport direction, and therefore, the transport direction of the optical head must match the disk transport direction. In order to secure the transport range of the optical head, the depth size of the disk device is generally larger. By applying the above disk transport device, the depth size of the disk device used for the cartridge-containing disk is compared. Can be kept small.

  Furthermore, according to the disk device according to the present invention, as a disk transport device for transporting a disk as an information recording medium between a first position outside the disk device and a second position inside the disk device, either Since the described disk transport device is provided, the above-described effects can be obtained. That is, basically, the linear stroke when loading and unloading the disk can be shortened, and the depth size of the disk device itself can be reduced. Thereby, for example, even when the disk device is integrated and used in a thin image display device or the like, the assembling property can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing a tray drawer state of the disk device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view of the disk device, and is a view taken in the direction of arrows Y2-Y2 in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view of the disk device, and is a view taken in the direction of arrows Y3-Y3 in FIG. Further, FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view showing an enlarged main part of the disk transport mechanism of the disk apparatus.

As shown in these drawings, the disk device M according to the present embodiment has a main body case 1 (housing) whose overall shape is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a disk tray 4 provided so as to be able to enter and leave the main body case 1. (Hereinafter simply referred to as “tray” as appropriate). The tray 4 can be moved in and out of the main body case 1 through a disk loading / unloading opening 1 h provided on the front surface of the main body case 1. In addition, in FIGS. 1-4, also in FIGS. 5-9 mentioned later, in order to avoid the overcomplication of drawing display, the main body case 1 is displayed with the virtual line (two-dot chain line). Yes.
The tray 4 is a disk holding member for holding the disk 3, and mounts and supports a single disk 3 (so-called bare disk) or a cartridge 2 in which the disk 3 is rotatably housed. Can do. In the present embodiment, for example, a disk 3 (a disk containing a cartridge) stored in the cartridge 2 is supported on the tray 4.

  The cartridge 2 is provided with a window 2b that is opened when an information signal is recorded on or reproduced from the disk 3, and a shutter 2a that covers the window 2b so as to be opened and closed. The window portion 2b is formed in a substantially rectangular shape including a portion corresponding to the center portion of the disk 3, and in a state where the cartridge 2 is placed on the tray 4, the longitudinal direction thereof is the insertion operation direction of the cartridge 2 ( 1 and 3 (in the direction of arrow A). The shutter 2a slides in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the window 2b to open and close the window 2b.

The disk 3 accommodated in the cartridge 2 is placed on the tray 4 and the first position outside the disk device M (disk attachment / detachment position: tray pulling position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) and the disk. It is transported between a second position inside the apparatus M (disk mounting position: tray insertion completion position shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 described later).
In this embodiment, the tray 4 has an in-plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk 3 in the middle of the transport path between the first position and the second position, as will be described in detail later. The tray rotation gear 4a is arranged in the vicinity of the end portion on the insertion side of the tray 4 in order to rotate the tray 4 (in a plane parallel to the paper surface in FIG. 1). Is provided.

  In the present embodiment, as will be described in detail later, when the disc 3 is transported from the first position to the second position, the tray 4 enters the main body case 1 from the disc entrance / exit opening 1h. After being drawn linearly by a predetermined amount, it is turned substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk 3. In order to guide the movement operation of the tray 4, tray guide pins 4 b are provided on the tray 4.

A transport base 5 that supports the main part of the transport mechanism of the disk device M is disposed in the main body case 1. On the upper side of the transport base 5, a tray guide plate 6 and a plurality (for example, six in this embodiment) of guide plate restricting pieces 5 c that restrict the sliding operation of the tray guide plate 6 are disposed. In FIG. 3, the conveyance base 5 is indicated by a virtual line (two-dot chain line) in order to avoid excessive complication of the drawing display.
The tray guide plate 6 causes the tray 4 to perform a linear movement in the direction of insertion into the main body case 1 (the direction of the arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3) and in the opposite direction. A linear sliding motion is performed along the sliding direction, and the sliding direction is guided by the plurality of guide plate regulating pieces 5c.

  As is well understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, one end side (for example, the upper end side in this embodiment) of the tray rotation shaft 7 that rotatably supports the tray 4 is fixed to the tray guide plate 6. ing. An upper end side of the tray rotation shaft 7 is fixed to the tray guide plate 6 through a linear groove portion 5 b (a linear guide groove described later) provided in the transport base 5. The tray 4 and the tray rotation gear 4a are rotatably coupled to and supported by the other end side of the tray rotation shaft 7 and its vicinity (lower side).

  A tray drive motor 8 that applies a driving force to the tray 4 is disposed in the main body case 1. This tray drive motor 8 can rotate forward and backward. An output gear 8 g fixed to the output shaft of the tray drive motor 8 meshes with the tray drive gear 9, and the tray drive gear 9 meshes with the intermediate gear 12. Further, a small-diameter gear 12g (see FIG. 4) of the intermediate gear 12 meshes with the tray rotation gear 4a.

When the tray driving motor 8 is driven and rotated in a predetermined direction, the driving force is sequentially transmitted to the output gear 8g, the tray driving gear 9, the intermediate gear 12, the small diameter gear 12g, and the tray rotating gear 4a. .
The tray rotation gear 4a, the intermediate gear 12 (and its small diameter gear 12g), and the tray drive gear 9 correspond to the first gear, the second gear, and the third gear described in the claims of the present application, respectively.

  A tray drive gear shaft 10 that rotatably supports the tray drive gear 9 and the drive gear arm 11 is disposed at the center of the tray drive gear 9. As can be clearly understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, one end side (for example, the upper end side in the present embodiment) of the tray drive gear shaft 10 is fixed to the transport base 5.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 4, an intermediate gear shaft 13 is disposed at the center of the intermediate gear 12, and a substantially central portion of the intermediate gear shaft 13 is rotatable to the front end side of the drive gear arm 11. Are combined. As can be clearly understood from FIG. 3, the intermediate gear shaft 13 rotatably supports one end side of the intermediate gear arm 14 on the upper side of the drive gear arm 11 and rotatably supports the central portion of the intermediate gear 12 on the lower side. ing. The other end side of the intermediate gear arm 14 is rotatably supported by the tray rotation shaft 7.

  That is, the intermediate gear arm 14 rotatably connects the rotating shaft 7 (tray rotating shaft) of the tray rotating gear 4a and the rotating shaft 13 (intermediate gear shaft) of the intermediate gear 12, and claims of this application. This corresponds to the first connecting member described in (1). The drive gear arm 11 rotatably connects the rotary shaft 13 (intermediate gear shaft) of the intermediate gear 12 and the rotary shaft 10 (tray drive gear shaft) of the tray drive gear 9. This corresponds to the second connecting member described.

  A shutter opener 15 for opening and closing the shutter 2 a of the cartridge 2 is disposed on the upper surface side of the transport base 5. The shutter opener 15 is rotatably supported at one end side by a shutter opener shaft 16 and has a shutter opening / closing pin 17 at the other end side. The shutter opening / closing pin 17 engages with the shutter 2a when the cartridge 2 is inserted into the main body case 1, and moves the shutter 2a in the shielding position to the open position. On the other hand, when the cartridge 2 is carried out from the main body case 1, the shutter 2a in the open position is moved to the shielding position.

  A linear guide groove that engages the tray rotation shaft 7 with the transport base 5 and extends in the direction in which the tray 4 is inserted into the main body case 1 (in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3). 5b (straight guide groove) is provided. When the tray guide plate 6 slides linearly on the transport base 5 while being guided by the plurality of guide plate restricting pieces 5c, the tray rotation shaft 7 moves along the straight guide groove 5b. Can be linearly moved in the direction of insertion operation into the main body case 1 (in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3) and in the opposite direction.

The transport base 5 is provided with a turning guide groove 5a for engaging the tray guide pin 4a and guiding the turning operation of the tray guide pin 4a. The turning guide groove 5a includes a straight part 5a1 which is parallel to and substantially equal to the straight guide groove 5b, and an arc part 5a2 having a predetermined length bent in an arc shape with a predetermined curvature from the tip side of the linear part. It consists of and. The arc portion 5a2 is set in an arc shape centering on the back end portion of the linear guide groove 5b in the main body case 1.
The tray guide pin 4a is guided by the turning guide groove 5a so that the tray 4 can be inserted into the main body case 1 when the tray is inserted (direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3). Can be swung in a plane parallel to the disk recording surface. On the other hand, when the tray is discharged, it can be moved in the reverse order.

Further, the conveyance base 5 is provided with an opening / closing guide groove 5 d for engaging the shutter opening / closing pin 17 of the shutter opener 15 and guiding the movement operation of the opening / closing pin 17. The opening / closing guide groove 5d is formed in an arc shape having a predetermined length centered on the axis of the shutter / opener shaft 16. The shutter / opener 15 moves with the shutter opening / closing pin 17 guided by the opening / closing guide groove 5d. As a result, a rotation operation of a predetermined angle about the axis of the shutter / opener shaft 16 can be performed.
In FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7, in order to avoid excessive complication of the drawing display, the turning guide groove 5 a, the straight guide groove 5 b and the open / close guide groove 5 d are all imaginary lines (one-dot chain lines). ) Is displayed.

1 to 3, when the tray drive motor 8 is driven, the drive force is sequentially transmitted to the output gear 8g, the tray drive gear 9, and the intermediate gear 12 as described above. Furthermore, the driving force of the intermediate gear 12 is transmitted to the tray rotation gear 4a via the small diameter gear 12g.
However, in the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, since the tray guide pin 4 b of the tray 4 is engaged with the linear portion 5 a 1 of the turning guide groove 5 a of the transfer base 5, the tray 4 is connected to the tray rotation shaft 7. It cannot be rotated around the axis.

Further, the tray driving gear shaft 10 and the intermediate gear shaft 13 are connected by a driving gear arm 11, and the intermediate gear shaft 13 and the tray rotating shaft 7 are connected by an intermediate gear arm 14, and the tray rotating shaft. 7 is engaged with the linear guide groove 5b.
Therefore, when the tray driving gear 9 rotates, the tray rotating shaft 7 moves along the straight guide groove 5b, so that the tray 4 passes through the disk entrance / exit opening 1h of the main body case 1 and enters the main body case 1. Is linearly transported in the direction of the insertion operation (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3). At this time, the tray guide pin 4b moves along the straight portion 5a1 of the turning guide groove 5a.

  Thus, in the initial stage of the insertion operation into the main body case 1, the tray 4 is inserted in the insertion operation direction (FIGS. 1 and 5) by a distance corresponding to the length of the straight guide groove 5b and the straight portion 5a1 of the turning guide groove 5a. 3 in the direction of arrow A). The linear conveying operation of the tray 4 is guided by the linear movement of the tray guide plate 6 as well as the tray rotating shaft 7 and the tray guide pin 4b.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory plan view showing a state in which a part of the tray is linearly drawn at the initial stage of the tray insertion operation. As shown in this figure, when the tray rotation shaft 7 reaches the terminal portion of the linear guide groove 5b, the linear conveying operation at the initial stage of inserting the tray 4 is completed. At this time, the tray guide pin 4b has reached the end point of the straight portion 5a1 of the turning guide groove 5a (in other words, the start point of the arc portion 5a2 continuously extending from the straight portion 5a1). At this time, the shutter opening / closing pin 17 is stationary at one end of the opening / closing guide groove 5d, and the shutter opener 15 is not rotated. That is, the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2 remains closed.

  In this state, when the tray driving motor 8 is continuously driven, the tray rotating gear 4a is also continuously rotated through the tray driving gear 9 and the intermediate gear 12, but the tray rotating shaft 7 is moved in the straight guide groove. Since the tray 4 has reached the end portion 5b, the tray 4 cannot be moved any further linearly. As shown in FIG. 6, the tray 4 is centered on the axis of the tray rotation shaft 7 located at the end portion of the straight guide groove 5b. Then, it is drawn into the main body case 1 while making a pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the disk recording surface (parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 6) (see arrow B in FIG. 6). At this time, the tray guide pin 4b moves along the arc portion 5a2 of the turning guide groove 5a, and thereby the turning operation of the tray 4 is guided.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view showing a tray turning state of the disk device M, and shows a state where the tray 4 is turned about 45 degrees. In this state, the shutter / opener 15 is rotated around the axis of the shutter / opener shaft 16 while being guided by the opening / closing guide groove 5d, whereby the shutter opening / closing pin 17 is rotated in the opening / closing guide groove 5d. Is located at the other end. When the shutter opening / closing pin 17 is engaged with the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2, the shutter 2a starts to be opened.

  When the tray drive motor 8 is further driven, the tray 4 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6 in the direction of arrow B by about 45 degrees (about 90 degrees after the linear movement is completed). Move to the fully retracted position corresponding to the mounting position. At this time, the tray guide pin 4b reaches the vicinity of the terminal portion on the retracting side of the arc portion 5a2 of the turning guide groove 5a.

7 is an explanatory plan view showing a state in which the tray 4 of the disk device M is completely accommodated, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory front view of the disk device M corresponding to FIG. 7, as viewed from the direction of arrows Y8-Y8 in FIG. It is an arrow view. FIG. 9 is an explanatory side view of the disk device M corresponding to FIG. 7, and is a view taken in the direction of arrows Y9-Y9 in FIG.
As can be seen from these drawings, when the tray 4 is completely accommodated, the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2 is completely opened by the shutter opening / closing pin 17, and an optical head 23 and a disk to be described later are opened from the window 2b. The turntable portion 22 a of the motor 22 can be inserted into the cartridge 2.

  As described above, according to the disk transport apparatus according to the present embodiment, the transport path between the first position outside the disk apparatus M (disk attachment / detachment position) and the second position inside the disk apparatus M (complete storage position). As for a part of the tray 4, the tray 4 on which the disk 3 is placed is linear with respect to the disk entrance / exit opening 1 h of the main body case 1 along a straight guide groove 5 b and a straight portion 5 a 1 of the turning guide groove 5 a. Move to. Then, the remaining part of the transport path is transported so as to swivel substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk 3 along the arc portion 5a2 of the swivel guide groove 5a. . Accordingly, the linear stroke when loading and unloading the disk 3 is shortened as much as the remaining part of the transport path in which the tray 4 is transported by the swivel movement, and the depth size of the disk device M itself is reduced. It can be planned.

  In particular, when the disk 3 is transported from the first position to the second position (that is, during loading), the tray 4 is linearly drawn into the main body case 1 from the disk insertion / exit opening 1h by a predetermined amount. After that, the disk 3 is transported so as to turn substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk 3. Therefore, when loading the disk 3, about a certain transport range from the start of transport, As in the conventional disk device, a disk pull-in operation linear in the normal insertion direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3) is performed, and then the disk 3 is swung. Therefore, the disk 3 does not start to turn suddenly with the start of conveyance, and it can be avoided that the user feels uncomfortable in operating the disk.

  In this case, a tray rotation gear 4a disposed on a disk tray 4 that holds the disk 3, an intermediate gear 12 that engages with the tray rotation gear 4a, and a tray drive motor that engages with the intermediate gear 12 The tray driving gear 9 is rotated by the driving force of the tray drive motor 8, and the tray driving gear 9 is rotated by the driving force of the tray driving motor 8, whereby the intermediate gear 12 and the tray rotating gear 4a are sequentially rotated. Then, the tray 4 is guided so as to turn substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk 3 after the predetermined amount has been pulled. As a result, when loading the disk 3, it is possible to reliably perform a linear disk pull-in operation within a certain conveyance range from the start of the conveyance, and thereafter to reliably perform the turning operation of the disk 3.

The disk transport device according to the present embodiment can be applied to a so-called bare disk, but by applying to the disk 3 with a cartridge as in the present embodiment, the disk device M used for the disk 3 with a cartridge is used. The depth size can be kept relatively small.
That is, the extending direction (longitudinal direction) of the recording / reproducing window 2b provided in the cartridge 2 and the disc transport direction are different except for the linearly moving portion. Since the moving direction of the optical head 23 differs by approximately 90 degrees, the depth size of the disk device M used for the cartridge-containing disk can be kept small.

A substantially rectangular optical transfer base 18 accommodated in a rectangular frame-shaped transfer base holder 19 is disposed at a substantially center in the plan view of the main body case 1, and the optical transfer base 18 is transferred in a rectangular frame shape. The base holder 19 is elastically supported via a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of anti-vibration rubber 20.
The transfer base holder 19 includes a pair of holder rotation shafts 19a extending in a direction parallel to the direction of operation for inserting the tray 4 into the main body case 1 (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3). 2 is rotated in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2 and the opposite direction thereof) about the axis of the holder rotation shaft 19a, thereby rotating the optical transfer base 18 in the vertical direction. Yes. The holder rotation shafts 19a and 19a are supported rotatably with respect to the main body case 1 via a bearing mechanism (not shown).

The transfer base holder 19 has a positioning hole 2h of the cartridge 2 and a positioning hole of the tray 4 (in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6) when the disk 3 containing the cartridge is positioned at a predetermined mounting position inside the apparatus. In addition, a pair of positioning pins 19b that can be fitted to the positioning hole 2h and the vicinity thereof are provided.
Further, on the optical transfer base 18, a disk motor 22 that rotates the disk 3, an optical head 23 that records and / or reproduces an information signal with respect to the disk 3 mounted on the disk motor 22, and A pair of guide shafts 21 that guide the optical head 23 in the radial direction of the disk 3 are mounted. A turntable portion 22a is integrally fixed to the output shaft of the disc motor 22, and the disc 3 is mounted on the turntable portion 22a.
Although not specifically shown, a drive motor and a power transmission mechanism for moving the optical head 23 along the guide shaft 21 are also mounted on the optical transfer base 18.

The disk motor 22 is disposed on the side close to one end of the optical transfer base 18, while the holder rotation shafts 19 a and 19 a protrude from the side surface of the transfer base holder 19 near the end on the side far from the disk motor 22. It is installed.
On the other hand, an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the end of the transfer base holder 19 is provided in the vicinity of the end of the transfer base holder 19 on the side close to the disk motor 22. The elevating mechanism includes a cam plate 24 (first cam plate) disposed so as to face the end surface of the transfer base holder 19, a cam drive motor 26 that drives the first cam plate 24, and the cam drive motor. 26, a cam drive gear 25 (first cam drive gear) that transmits the driving force of 26 to the first cam plate 24. The first cam drive gear 25 meshes with a second cam drive gear 28 that drives a second cam plate 27 described later. The cam drive motor 26 can rotate forward and backward.

The first cam plate 24 is formed with a rack 24 g in a direction parallel to the arrow E in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the small-diameter gear 25 g of the first cam drive gear 25 is a rack tooth of the first cam plate 24. It is configured to mesh with 24g.
When the cam drive motor 26 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the first cam plate 24 through the output gear 26g, the first cam drive gear 25, the small diameter gear 25g, and the rack teeth 24g sequentially. . Thus, the first cam plate 24 is driven in a direction along the rack 24g (a direction parallel to the arrow E in FIGS. 1 and 3).

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the first cam plate 24 is formed with a pair of cam grooves 24a extending in an oblique direction, while the end face of the transfer base holder 19 facing the first cam plate 24 is Engagement pins 19c, 19c that engage with the cam grooves 24a, 24a are projected.
When the first cam plate 24 slides in the direction along the rack 24g, each engagement pin 19c is guided by the cam groove 24a and moves in the vertical direction. Along with this, the first cam plate 24 of the transfer base holder 19 is moved. The end on the side facing the head moves up and down.

  That is, the driving force of the cam drive motor 26 is transmitted to the transfer base holder 19 via the first cam plate 24, and the transfer base holder 19 is vertically moved around the axis of the holder rotating shaft 19a (FIG. 2). In the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 5 and the opposite direction thereof, so that the optical transfer base 18 is also turned up and down.

The transfer base 5 has an opening 5f (clamper opening: see FIG. 4) formed in a predetermined region including a portion corresponding to the turntable portion 22a of the disk motor 22. The opening 5f A clamper 30 is disposed inside.
The clamper 30 is supported on one end side of the clamper arm 29, and in the vicinity of the other end side of the clamper arm 29, a cam plate 27 (second cam plate) for raising and lowering the other end of the clamper arm 29 is provided. Is arranged. A pair of arm rotation shafts 29 a are integrally provided with the clamper arm 29 in the middle of the clamper arm 29. Each arm rotation shaft 29a is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 5e provided on the transport base 5, and the clamper arm 29 is vertically moved around the axis of the arm rotation shaft 29a (see FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrow D in FIG. 3 and the opposite direction thereof, thereby moving the clamper 30 in the vertical direction.

A rack 27g in a direction parallel to the arrow F in FIG. A second cam drive gear 28 that meshes with the first cam drive gear 25 is disposed near the lower portion of the second cam plate 27, and the small-diameter gear 28g of the second cam drive gear 28 The second cam plate 27 is configured to mesh with the rack teeth 27g.
When the cam drive motor 26 is driven, the driving force thereof is output via the output gear 26g, the first cam drive gear 25, the second cam drive gear 28, the small diameter gear 28g and the rack teeth 27g in this order. 2 is transmitted to the cam plate 27. Accordingly, the second cam plate 27 is driven in a direction along the rack 27g (a direction parallel to the arrow F in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the cam groove 27a extending in the oblique direction is formed in the second cam plate 27, while the cam groove 27a is formed on the end surface of the clamper arm 29 facing the second cam plate 27. An engaging pin 29c that engages with is projected.
When the second cam plate 27 slides in the direction along the rack 27g, the engaging pin 29c is guided by the cam groove 27a and moves up and down, and accordingly, the clamper arm 29 faces the second cam plate 27. The end on the side to go up and down.

  In other words, the driving force of the cam drive motor 26 is transmitted to the clamper arm 29 via the second cam plate 27, and the clamper arm 29 moves in the vertical direction (the arrow in FIG. 3) about the axis of the arm rotation shaft 29a. The clamper 30 can be moved in the vertical direction.

  Although not specifically illustrated, for example, a control circuit board provided with a control unit for controlling the operation of the disk device M is disposed on the bottom surface of the main body case 1. All of the control elements of the disk device M such as the power source such as the disk motor 22, the cam drive motor 26, the optical head drive motor (not shown), various sensors, switches, indicators, etc. The unit (not shown) is connected to be able to exchange signals.

The disk loading operation of the disk apparatus M configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in the tray drawing state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the disk 3 is in a single state or stored in the cartridge 2 on the tray 4 pulled out from the main body case 1 of the disk device M. Placed. That is, the disk 3 is in a disk attachment / detachment position outside the disk device M. In this embodiment, the case where the disk 3 is stored in the cartridge 2 will be described as an example. However, the operation of the disk device M is basically the same even in the case of a single disk (bare disk).

  In the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in order to transport the tray 4 into the main body case 1 of the disk device M, the transfer base holder 19 is centered on the axis of the holder rotation shaft 19a. 2 is in a state rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow C in FIG. That is, the disk motor 22 and the optical head 23 on the optical transfer base 18 are in a state of being retracted downward. Further, the clamper arm 29 is in a state of rotating about the axis of the arm rotation shaft 29a in the direction opposite to the arrow D in FIG. 3 (state of FIG. 3). That is, the clamper 30 is in a state of being retracted upward. Further, the tray rotation shaft 7 is located at the end of the linear guide groove 5b on the drawer side, and the tray guide pin 4b is located at the end of the linear portion 5a1 of the turning guide groove 5a on the drawer side. The shutter opening / closing pin 17 is also positioned at the end of the opening / closing guide groove 5d on the drawer side, and the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2 is closed.

In the description of the operation, the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as described above for the operation elements such as the tray 4, the cartridge 2, the optical head 23, the clamper 30, and the like is referred to as an initial state.
In this initial state, for example, an operation instruction signal from an operation means such as an operation switch (not shown) or a sensor (not shown) that detects an insertion operation in which the tray 4 is pushed in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. Is input to a control unit (not shown) of the control circuit board, the loading operation of the disk 3 is started. The sensor (not shown) for detecting the insertion operation of the tray 4 can be the same as a conventionally known sensor.

  When the operation instruction signal or the insertion operation detection signal is input (step # 1: YES), the tray drive motor 8 is driven (step # 2), and as described above, the tray drive gear 9, the intermediate gear 12, and the tray are driven. The rotation gear 4a is sequentially driven, and the tray rotation shaft 7 linearly moves along the straight guide groove 5b in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. Is performed (step # 3). As shown in FIG. 5, the linear movement of the tray 4 is performed until the tray rotation shaft 7 reaches the terminal portion on the drawing side of the linear guide groove 5b. Thereby, a part of the tray 4 is linearly drawn in the direction of the arrow A in FIGS.

  As the tray drive motor 8 is continuously driven, as shown in FIG. 6, the tray 4 is placed in the state in which the tray rotation shaft 7 is locked to the terminal portion on the pull-in side of the linear guide groove 5b. It is drawn into the main body case 1 while turning in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6 in a plane parallel to the disk recording surface around the axis of the rotation shaft 7. At this time, the tray guide pin 4b moves along the arc portion 5a2 of the turning guide groove 5a, and thereby the turning operation of the tray 4 is guided. Thus, the movement operation of the tray 4 shifts from the linear movement to the turning movement. Further, the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2 is engaged with the shutter opening / closing pin 17 to perform the opening operation (step # 4).

  As the tray drive motor 8 is further driven, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the tray 4 turns about 90 degrees from the end of the linear movement and is completely stored corresponding to the mounting position of the disk 3. Move to position. At this time, the tray guide pin 4b reaches the vicinity of the terminal portion on the retracting side of the arc portion 5a2 of the turning guide groove 5a. At this time, the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2 is completely opened. Thus, the turning operation of the tray 4 and the opening operation of the shutter 2a are completed (step # 5).

  Along with this, a detection signal from a detection sensor or a detection switch (not shown) for detecting completion of the turning operation of the tray 4 is input to the control unit, and the drive of the tray drive motor 8 is stopped (step # 6). ). As the tray drive motor 8 stops, the cam drive motor 26 is driven and rotates in a predetermined direction (step # 7).

  When the cam drive motor 26 is driven, as described above, the first cam plate 24 is connected to the arrow E in FIGS. 1 and 3 through the first cam drive gear 25, the small-diameter gear 25g and the rack teeth 24g sequentially. Driven in a parallel direction (step # 8), the transfer base holder 19 rotates upward (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) around the axis of the holder rotation shaft 19a via the first cam plate 24. Move. As a result, the optical transfer base 18 is also rotated upward, and is substantially parallel to the disk 3 (step # 9). In this state, the disk 3 is placed on the turntable portion 22 a of the disk motor 22, and information signals can be recorded or reproduced by the optical head 23. That is, loading of the disk 3 is completed (step # 10).

  Further, by driving the cam drive motor 26, as described above, the second cam plate 27 is sequentially passed through the first cam drive gear 25, the second cam drive gear 28, the small-diameter gear 28g and the rack teeth 27g. 1 is driven in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 1 (step # 11), and the clamper arm 29 is moved downward (indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 3) about the axis of the arm rotation shaft 29a via the second cam plate 27. Direction). Thereby, the clamper 30 is moved downward (step # 12). Then, the disk 3 is sandwiched between the turntable portion 22a of the disk motor 22 and the clamper 30, and the clamping operation is completed (step # 13). Thereafter, the drive of the cam drive motor 26 is stopped (step # 14), and the control of the loading operation of the disk 3 is completed.

When the disk 3 mounted in the main body case 1 of the disk device M is taken out to the non-mounting position outside the device M by the series of loading operations as described above, a sequence reverse to the above loading operation is performed. Is carried out.
That is, when a disk eject switch (not shown) is turned ON, an operation instruction signal for ejecting the disk 3 is input to the control unit (not shown), and based on this, the cam drive motor 26 is in a loading state. It is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. As a result, the second cam plate 27 is driven, the clamper arm 29 is rotated upward (in the direction opposite to the arrow D in FIG. 3) about the axis of the arm rotation shaft 29a, and the clamper 30 is moved upward. The clamp state is released.

Further, when the first cam plate 24 is driven so as to be substantially in parallel with the releasing operation of the clamped state, the transfer base holder 19 is moved downward about the axis of the holder rotation shaft 19a (FIG. 2). And the optical transfer base 18 is also rotated downward, and the disk 3 is unloaded from the turntable portion 22a of the disk motor 22.
As a result, the disk motor 22 and the optical head 23 on the optical transfer base 18 are retracted downward, and the clamper 30 is retracted upward. That is, the tray 4 can be unloaded.

  When the drive of the cam drive motor 26 is stopped, the tray drive motor 8 is driven to rotate in the direction opposite to that during loading. Thereby, the tray drive gear 9, the intermediate gear 12, and the tray rotation gear 4a are sequentially rotated, and the tray 4 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIG. Further, the shutter 2a of the cartridge 2 is closed along with the turning operation of the tray 4.

  When the tray guide pin 4b reaches the straight line portion 5a1 from the arc portion 5a2 of the turning guide groove 5a after completing the turning operation of approximately 90 degrees, the turning operation of the tray 4 is stopped and the tray driving gear 9 is subsequently rotated. As a result, the tray 4 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3 and is transported to the first position outside the disk device M (disk attachment / detachment position). Then, the cartridge 2 can be taken out from the tray 4.

  As described above, according to the disk device M according to the present embodiment, when the disk 3 is transported between the disk attachment / detachment position outside the disk device M and the recording / reproducing position inside the disk device M, the transport direction is changed. By devising, the linear stroke at the time of loading and unloading the disk 3 can be shortened, and the depth size of the disk device M itself can be made compact. Thereby, for example, when the disk device M is integrated and used in a thin image display device or the like, the assembling property can be improved.

  The disk transport device and the disk device of the present invention shorten the linear stroke when transporting a disk between a disk attachment / detachment position outside the disk device and a recording / playback position inside the disk device, thereby reducing the depth size of the disk device. Therefore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a disk device that records and / or reproduces an information signal on a disk as an information medium.

  In the above description, the transport operation of the disk 3 (that is, the tray 4) is a combination of linear movement and swivel movement. However, all of the disk transport operations may be performed as a swivel operation. Is possible. In this case, there is a possibility that the user may feel a little uncomfortable, but the depth size of the disk device can be made more compact.

  Thus, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and improvements can be added without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is a plane explanatory view showing a tray drawer state of the disk device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is front explanatory drawing of the said disk apparatus, and is an arrow line view from the Y2-Y2 arrow direction in FIG. It is side surface explanatory drawing of the said disk apparatus, and is an arrow line view from the Y3-Y3 arrow direction in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a main part of a disk transport mechanism of the disk device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view showing a state in which a part of the tray of the disk device is pulled. It is a plane explanatory view showing the tray turning state of the disk device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a state where the tray of the disk device is completely accommodated. FIG. 8 is a front explanatory view of the disk device corresponding to FIG. 7, and is an arrow view from the direction of arrows Y8-Y8 in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view of the disk device corresponding to FIG. 7, and is an arrow view from the direction of arrows Y 9 -Y 9 in FIG. 7. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a disk loading operation of the disk device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 1h Disc entrance / exit opening part 2 Cartridge 3 Disc 4 Tray 4a Tray rotation gear 4b Tray guide pin 5 Conveyance base 5a Turning guide groove 5a1 (Swivel guide groove) Straight part 5a2 (Swivel guide groove) Arc part 5b Straight line Guide groove 6 Tray guide plate 7 Tray rotation shaft 8 Tray drive motor 9 Tray drive gear 10 Tray drive gear shaft 11 Drive gear arm 12 Intermediate gear 13 Intermediate gear shaft 14 Intermediate gear arm 18 Optical transfer base 19 Transfer base holder 22 Disc motor 23 Optical head

Claims (5)

Disc transport that is provided in a disc device that records and / or reproduces information signals with respect to a disc as an information recording medium, and that transports the disc between a first position outside the disc device and a second position inside the disc device. A device,
A turning mechanism for turning the disk substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk for at least a part of a transport path between the first position and the second position; A disk conveying device characterized by comprising: Disc transport that is provided in a disc device that records and / or reproduces information signals with respect to a disc as an information recording medium, and that transports the disc between a first position outside the disc device and a second position inside the disc device. A device,
A linear movement mechanism that linearly moves the disk by a predetermined amount with respect to a disk loading / unloading portion of the disk device with respect to a part of the conveyance path between the first position and the second position;
A revolving mechanism for revolving the disk substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk for the rest of the transport path;
When the disk is transported from the first position to the second position, the disk is linearly drawn from the disk loading / unloading portion into the disk device by a predetermined amount by the linear movement mechanism, and then the turning is performed. Swiveling substantially 90 degrees in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disc by a mechanism;
A disk transport device characterized by the above. A first gear disposed on a disk holding member for holding the disk; a second gear engaged with the first gear; a third gear engaged with the second gear and rotated by a driving force of the motor; With
A first connecting member that rotatably connects the rotation shaft of the first gear and the rotation shaft of the second gear, and a rotation shaft of the second gear and a rotation shaft of the third gear that can rotate. A second connecting member to be connected,
A guide mechanism that guides the transport operation of the disk holding member is provided on a transport base that supports the disk holding member in a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk.
When the third gear is rotated by the driving force of the motor, the second gear and the first gear are sequentially rotated, and after the disk is drawn by a predetermined amount, the third gear is substantially within a plane substantially parallel to the recording surface of the disk. The disc holding member is guided to be turned 90 degrees,
3. The disk transport device according to claim 2, wherein   The disk transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the disk is stored in a disk cartridge. A disk device for recording and / or reproducing information signals with respect to a disk as an information recording medium,
5. The disk transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the disk transport apparatus transports the disk between a first position outside the disk device and a second position inside the disk device. A disk device characterized by the above.

Images