JP2005251387A - Disk cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disk cartridge in which a label plane of a disk is exposed, a cartridge main body storing a disk is thinned, backlash of the disk in a state in which the disk is stored is prevented, and adhesion of dust to the disk is prevented. <P>SOLUTION: This disk cartridge is provided with shutters 21, 22 supported rotatably for a cartridge main body between an information recording surface of the disk 100 and an bottom portion of a disk storage portion 10d so as to open or close the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h of the cartridge main body externally and having holes 21h, 22h in a region corresponding to a center hole of the disk in a closing state, and disk holders 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b provided at the shutters 21, 22, pressing the disk 100 to the shutters 21, 22 and holding the disk 100 when the shutters close the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a disk cartridge for storing a disk-shaped information recording medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk in a rotatable state.

  Conventionally, a disk cartridge for holding a disk-shaped information recording medium has been proposed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a disc-shaped recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a disc) having an information recording surface on one side or both sides is placed in a disc storage portion provided inside a cartridge body composed of an upper half and a lower half. A disc cartridge is disclosed which is stored in a fully covered form. The cartridge body is formed with a chucking opening for chucking the disk by the turntable and clamper of the spindle motor, and a head opening for the head to reproduce and record information on the disk. . The chucking opening and the head opening are continuous, and when carrying and carrying the cartridge, dust easily enters from these openings and fingerprints are likely to adhere to the disk. For this reason, a shutter that covers these openings is formed in the disc cartridge.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-153264

  However, in the case of a disc cartridge of this structure, since the disc cartridge is inserted into the disc device and recording / reproducing is performed on the disc, the surface shake during disc rotation, disc warpage, and positioning error of the cartridge to the disc device It is necessary to secure a space for allowing the disc in a space for storing a disk formed between the upper half and the lower half. For this reason, there has been a problem that the thickness of the cartridge main body becomes large.

  The lower half is provided with a spindle motor turntable opening and a head opening, and the upper half is provided with a clamper opening. It is necessary to have a U-shape that continues from half to bottom half. However, since the shutter having such a shape is expensive, the manufacturing cost of the disk cartridge is increased.

  Furthermore, in the case of a disk with a metal hub, it is possible to attract the disk without magnetic backlash, but in the case of an optical disk without a hub such as a CD or DVD, the disk is generally not fixed in the cartridge and is free. Is in a state. For this reason, there is a problem in that the shutter opens in the disk device, and dust that has entered the cartridge from the opening adheres to the disk. In addition, there is a problem that the information recording surface of the disk is damaged due to the play of the disk, or dust is generated due to collision between the disk and the inner wall of the cartridge, and the dust adheres to the disk.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to reduce the cost of the disk cartridge as a simple shutter configuration, particularly in a cartridge that accommodates a disk having a recording surface only on one side. Another object of the present invention is to provide a disc cartridge that is excellent in design by holding the disc in the disc cartridge, eliminating rattling, reducing the adhesion of dust to the disc, and using the exposed disc label surface. To do.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage portion for storing a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disc to the outside, and the disc storage A head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to a chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and a second surface of the disk. A cartridge body including a head opening, and between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. , And is supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and in the closed state, A shutter having a hole in a region to be operated, and provided in the shutter. When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, the disk is pressed against the shutter to hold the disk A disk holding unit.

  In a preferred embodiment, the hole provided in the shutter has approximately the same diameter as the center hole of the disk.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A shutter that is supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and a shutter provided on the shutter. When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, a disk holding part that holds the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and an inner side surface of the disk storage part toward the center of the disk. And a flange that comes into contact with the outer edge of the disk when the shutter is closed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the shutter has a hole in a region corresponding to a center hole of the disc in the closed state.

  In a preferred embodiment, the flange contacts the second surface of the disk.

  In a preferred embodiment, in a state where the shutter opens the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside, a part of the shutter is stored between the flange and the inner lower surface of the disk storage unit. The cartridge main body has a gap to be formed.

  In a preferred embodiment, in the state where the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening with respect to the outside, a convex portion that contacts the second surface of the disk is formed around the hole of the shutter. Have.

  In a preferred embodiment, the shutter includes a second surface of the disk and a convex portion that fills the gap between the shutter and the shutter when the shutter is closed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the convex portion is located in a region located closer to the center side of the disk storage portion than the flange when the shutter opens the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. Is provided.

  In a preferred embodiment, the convex portion is a protective layer that prevents the second surface of the disk from being damaged.

  In a preferred embodiment, a protective layer for preventing damage to the second surface of the disk is provided on the ridge.

  In a preferred embodiment, the protective layer is one selected from a scratch-proof nonwoven fabric, a dust-proof nonwoven fabric, a scratch-proof coating layer, and a dust-proof coating layer.

  In a preferred embodiment, the convex portion is formed integrally with the shutter.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, the disk holding portion holds the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and the head opening is a side surface of the cartridge main body. And an operating portion provided in the shutter for opening and closing the shutter is provided in the head opening.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, the shutter includes a disk holding section that holds the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and the pair of shutters abut each other. And a second joint surface, respectively, and the first and second joint surfaces are not in a straight line.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first and second joining surfaces are inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the disk and overlap each other.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, A plurality of disk holding parts for holding the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, and at least of the plurality of disk holding parts One is movable in a direction toward the center of the disk storage portion with respect to one of the pair of shutters.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, a plurality of disk holding portions having reverse tapered slopes for holding the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and the disk storage A disk abutting surface for preventing the disk from falling off from a portion, and a plurality of drop-off preventing members provided on the cartridge body so as to protrude above the disk, and a slope of the disk holding portion Is located above the contact surface of the drop-off prevention member.

  In a preferred embodiment, the pair of shutters are locked to each other in the closed state.

  In a preferred embodiment, the image forming apparatus further includes a shutter contact portion for restricting a position of the pair of shutters when the pair of shutters is closed.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, the shutter includes a plurality of disk holding parts that hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and the disk holding part includes: And a second region having a second height lower than the first height, and the upper surface of the cartridge body holds the disc when the shutter is opened and closed. The region through which the first region passes is recessed so as to receive the tip of the first region, and is thinner than the region through which the second region passes.

  The disk cartridge according to claim 21, wherein in the preferred embodiment, the first area contacts the disk earlier than the second area when the shutter is closed.

  The disk cartridge according to the present invention stores the disk having the first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and with the first surface of the disk exposed to the outside, and takes the disk in and out. A disc storage portion having a disc opening, and a reproducing portion that is provided at the bottom of the disc storage portion and chucks the disc from the outside and reproduces information with respect to the second surface of the disc. And a cartridge body including a head opening for access by at least one of the recording heads, and the second of the disk so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. Is supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body. A pair of shutters and a plurality of disk holding units that are provided on the shutters and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening. And a drop-off prevention member that is held in a movable state in the cartridge main body so as to be able to take a state protruding to the disk opening and a state not protruding to the disk opening.

  In a preferred embodiment, the drop-off prevention member can move in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the cartridge body.

  In a preferred embodiment, the drop-off preventing member can rotate on the upper surface of the cartridge body.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, a plurality of disk holding portions that hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and the shutter is closed to hold the disk A disc receiving portion provided on the inner periphery of the inner lower surface of the disc storage portion so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the second surface of the disc.

  In a preferred embodiment, the disc receiving portion has a region parallel to at least the inner lower surface of the disc storage portion, and is in contact with the other surface of the disc.

  In a preferred embodiment, the disk receiving portion is a taper provided across an inner side surface and an inner lower surface of the disk storage portion, and the disk is held when the shutter is closed and the disk is held. An outer peripheral edge abuts on the disk receiving portion.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, A plurality of disk holding portions for holding the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, and when the shutter is opened and closed, the disk The inner lower surface of the cartridge body includes a first region through which the bottom of the holding portion passes, and the first region is a recess.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, the shutter includes a plurality of disk holding portions that hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and when the shutter is closed, the shutter The cartridge body includes a second area located in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the cartridge body, and the second area is a recess.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, A plurality of disk holding portions for holding the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening; and the chucking opening and the head The inner lower surface of the cartridge body includes a third region located around the opening and / or near the inner side surface of the disk storage portion, and the third region is a recess.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A shutter supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutter. When the cutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, a plurality of disk holding parts for holding the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and a first for opening or closing the shutter 1 and a second operation unit.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first and second operation portions are provided on first and second side surfaces of the cartridge body, respectively.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first and second side surfaces are adjacent.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first operation portion is a protrusion connected to the shutter, and the shutter is opened and closed by sliding the first operation portion along a part of the first side surface. Can do.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second operation unit is a rotating member engaged with the shutter, and the shutter can be opened and closed by rotating the second operation unit.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second operation portion is a slide link member engaged with the shutter, and the shutter is opened and closed by sliding the second operation portion along the second side surface. Can do.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second operation unit is a belt member connected to the shutter, and the shutter can be opened and closed by sliding the second operation unit along the second side surface. .

  In a preferred embodiment, the shutter includes a pair.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first and second operation portions are connected or engaged with the pair of shutters, respectively.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention includes a disc storage unit that stores a disc having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposes the first surface of the disc to the outside, and A head that is provided at the bottom of the disk storage unit and that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information with respect to the chucking opening for chucking the disk from the outside and the second surface of the disk accesses A cartridge body including a head opening, and a second surface of the disk and a bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported so as to be movable with respect to the cartridge body, and the shutters, When the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening, a plurality of disk holding portions that hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter, and the disk is closed when the shutter is closed. In order to prevent rotation, an anti-rotation member is provided on at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions.

  In a preferred embodiment, the rotation preventing member is made of a material having a high friction coefficient, and is provided in at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions so as to come into contact with the disk in a state where the shutter is closed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the rotation preventing member is made of rubber.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention has a disc opening, is capable of rotating a disc having first and second surfaces, and exposes the first surface to the outside from the disc disc opening. A disc storage portion for storing the disc, a bottom portion of the disc storage portion, and a chucking opening for chucking the disc from the outside and reproduction of information to the second surface of the disc And a cartridge body including a head opening for access by at least one of the recording heads, and the second of the disk so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of movably supported relative to the cartridge body between the surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion And a plurality of disc holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disc by pressing the disc against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening. And at least one drop-off preventing member provided in the cartridge body so that at least a part of the disk protrudes into the disk opening, and the head opening is provided to reach a side surface of the cartridge body. An operation portion provided in the shutter for opening and closing the shutter is provided in the head opening.

  In a preferred embodiment, the pair of shutters have first and second joint surfaces that contact each other, and the first and second joint surfaces are not in a straight line.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first and second joining surfaces are inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the disk and overlap each other.

  In a preferred embodiment, one of the pair of shutters has the first joining surface positioned above the other first joining surface, and the one second joining surface is the other. It is located below the second joint surface.

  In a preferred embodiment, the pair of shutters has a hole in a region corresponding to the center hole of the disk in the closed state.

  In a preferred embodiment, the holes provided in the pair of shutters have approximately the same diameter as the center hole of the disk.

  In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of disk holding portions are provided at both ends of the pair of shutters, and each disk holding portion has a reverse tapered slope.

  In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions is provided so as to be movable in a direction toward the center of the disk.

  In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of disk holding portions includes a first area having a first height and a second area having a second height lower than the first height. On the inner upper surface of the cartridge body, a region through which the first region of the disk holding portion passes when the shutter is opened and closed is recessed to receive a tip portion of the first region, and the second region The region is thinner than the region through which it passes.

  In a preferred embodiment, the first area contacts the disk earlier than the second area when the shutter is closed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the drop-off prevention member has a contact surface that comes into contact with a disk, and at least one of the inclined surfaces of the plurality of disk holding portions is partly more than the contact surface of the drop-out prevention member. Located above.

  In a preferred embodiment, the pair of shutters rotate with respect to a pair of rotation shafts provided in the disc cartridge body.

  In a preferred embodiment, each of the pair of shutters has an interlocking portion that opens and closes while interlocking with each other.

  In a preferred embodiment, an elastic member is further provided to bias the pair of shutters so as to keep them closed.

  Further, the disk drive device of the present invention includes a driving unit for rotating the disk, a head for recording information on the disk and / or reproducing information from the disk, and the disk. And a support structure for supporting the disc cartridge containing the disc at a predetermined position with respect to the driving means, and the disc cartridge shutter is opened, and the disc can be rotated within the disc accommodating portion of the disc cartridge. A shutter opening / closing mechanism for releasing a holding operation of the disk by a disk holding portion or a disk presser of the cartridge;

  In a preferred embodiment, the disk drive device further includes a clamper for fixing the disk to the driving means.

  In a preferred embodiment, the support structure includes a positioning pin for determining the position of the disk cartridge.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention is particularly suitable for storing a disc having a recording surface only on one side. Since the cartridge body covers only the information recording surface of the disc and has a structure in which one surface is exposed, the thickness of the cartridge can be reduced. Further, by making the shutter cover only one side of the disk cartridge, the structure can be simplified and the cost of the shutter can be reduced. Further, since the disk holding part or the disk holding member holds the disk by pressing it against the shutter or the cartridge body, it is possible to prevent the disk from rattling within the cartridge body and to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the information recording surface of the disk. . In addition, the design is superior by using the disc label surface exposed at the disc opening.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a disc cartridge that is thin, highly dustproof, excellent in design, and usable in various drive devices.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the disk cartridge 301 according to the first embodiment of the present invention obliquely from above with the disk 100, FIG. 2 shown from obliquely below, and a disassembled state thereof. It demonstrates, referring FIG. 3 which is a perspective view of each part shown.

  The disc 100 has first and second surfaces. FIG. 1 shows the first surface, which is a surface on which a label of a normal disc is drawn. The information recording surface 100A, which is the second surface of the disc 100, is shown as the back surface in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the disk cartridge 301 includes a cartridge lower body 11, a cartridge upper body 12, disk holding members 13 and 14, and a shutter 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge lower body 11 has a chucking opening 11 c opened so that a chucking member such as a spindle motor for rotating the disk 100 can enter from the outside, and the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100. And a head opening 11h that is open so that a head that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information enters and can be accessed. Further, the disk drive device has a pair of positioning holes 11w that are fitted with the pair of cartridge positioning pins 210 of the disk drive device to position the disk cartridge 301 with respect to the disk drive device. The cartridge lower body 11 faces the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100.

  The cartridge upper body 12 has a circular disk opening 12w that allows the disk 100 to be taken in and out and opens the entire projection area of the disk 100 so that the upper surface of the disk is exposed. The cartridge upper body 12 and the cartridge lower body 11 are bonded or welded at the outer edge portion to constitute the cartridge body 10.

  The disc 100 is accommodated by the first inner side surface 11u facing the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 of the cartridge lower body 11 and the substantially cylindrical second inner side surface 12i constituting the disc opening 12w of the cartridge upper body 12. A disk storage unit 10d (FIG. 1) is configured. As a result, the first inner side surface 11u becomes the bottom of the disc storage portion 10d. The first inner side surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 is provided with a protective layer 11p that prevents the disc 100 from being damaged or dust from entering the information recording surface 100A.

  The protective layer 11p can be appropriately selected from a nonwoven fabric for preventing scratches, a nonwoven fabric for dustproofing, a coating layer for preventing scratches, and a coating layer for dustproofing. In this embodiment, the sheet | seat which consists of a nonwoven fabric for dust prevention is stuck or ultrasonically welded as the protective layer 11p.

  In the disc storage portion 10d, a space is provided between the second inner surface 12i and the disc 100 so that the disc 100 can rotate. Further, the upper portion of the disc storage portion 10d is a disc opening portion 12w, and the disc 100 held in the disc storage portion 10d exposes one side thereof from the disc opening portion 12w to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the disc holding member 13 has a pair of elastic portions 13d and a hole 13w that penetrates diagonally, and the disc cartridge 301 has two disc holding members 13 having the same shape. Prepare. When the elastic portion 13d of the disk holding member 13 is sandwiched between the cartridge upper body 12 and the cartridge lower body 11, the tip of the disk holding member 13 is urged in the direction of the arrow 13B, thereby causing the disk 100 to move to the first inner surface. 11u. The pair of disc holding members 13 are arranged so that the hole 13w is located almost directly above the pair of positioning holes 11w.

  The disk holding member 14 has a rotating shaft 14s and an elastic portion 14d. The disk holding member 14 is fixed to the cartridge body 10 so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 14s, and the elastic portion 14d is sandwiched between the cartridge upper body 12 and the cartridge lower body 11, so that the tip of the disk holding member 14 is an arrow 14B. Biased in the direction. As a result, the disk 100 is pressed against the first inner surface 11u.

  The shutter 21 is provided outside the cartridge lower body 11 so as to face the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shutter moves in the direction of the arrow 21A or 21B to open or close the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h with respect to the outside. The shutter spring 31 is stretched between the shutter 21 and the cartridge body 10 and biases the shutter 21 in the closing direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the cartridge body 10 (cartridge lower body 11) is provided with a label surface or recess 10f that can describe the contents written on the disc 100 to be stored. Also, the pair of recesses 10c provided on the left and right sides of the cartridge body 10 are for locking or positioning for pulling in when the drive device pulls in and loads the disk cartridge 301 or when the disk cartridge 301 is stored in the changer. It can be used as a dent. The concave portion 10g provided only on one side has an erroneous insertion prevention shape, and normally fits with the convex portion provided in the drive device only when the disc cartridge 301 is inserted in the correct direction. On the other hand, if the disc cartridge 301 is mistakenly inserted into the disc drive device upside down or in the opposite direction, it cannot be inserted normally due to interference with each other. Thereby, erroneous insertion can be prevented.

  Here, the holding operation of the disc 100 by the disc holding members 13 and 14 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views of the disk holding member 13 and the disk holding member 14 in the disk radial direction in a state where the disk 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is held.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, slopes 13 ′ and 14 ′ are provided at the tips of the disk holding members 13 and 14, which are inclined so as to protrude above the outer periphery of the disk 100 on the disk projection area. Yes. The disk holding members 13 and 14 urged in the directions of the arrows 13B and 14B by the elastic portions 13d and 14d respectively bring the inclined surfaces 13 ′ and 14 ′ into contact with the ridge 100c on the outer periphery of the disk 100 and grip the disk 100. The disc 100 is pressed in the thickness direction 100t to bring the information recording surface 100A into surface contact with the sheet 11p. As a result, the disk 100 is held and fixed to the cartridge body 10. In this state, since the outer peripheral portion of the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is in close contact with the sheet 11p, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the information recording surface 100A.

  Next, the releasing operation of the disk 100 by the disk holding members 13 and 14 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the disk cartridge with the cartridge body 12 and the disk 100 removed. In FIG. 6, in the shutter 21, the L-shaped portion 21s is pushed in the direction of the arrow 21A by the shutter opening mechanism of the disk drive device (not shown). As a result, the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h are made to the outside. Open. Further, a pair of cartridge positioning pins 210 of the disk drive device are fitted in the positioning holes 11 w of the cartridge body 10.

  7 is a cross-sectional view of the disk holding member 13 in the radial direction of the disk holding member 13 in the state of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the relationship between the disk holding member 14 and the shutter 21 in the state of FIG.

  In the disk holding member 13, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cartridge positioning pin 210 of the disk drive device is inserted from the positioning hole 11w, the cartridge positioning pin 210 is fitted into the hole 13w that penetrates the disk holding member 13 diagonally. Match. For this reason, the disc holding member 13 is lifted in the direction of 13A, and the disc 100 is released from the pressure contact by the inclined surface 13 'and becomes free. At this time, the flange 13e at the tip of the disk holding member 13 is still overhanging on the outer periphery of the disk in the disk projection area. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the disk 100 from dropping from the disk cartridge 301 even when the disk 100 is configured to be perpendicular to the disk drive device.

  In the disc holding member 14, as shown in FIG. 8, when the shutter 21 is opened, the guide rib 21x provided on the shutter enters the concave portion 14w of the disc holding member 14 and pushes up the ceiling of the concave portion 14w. As a result, the disk holding member 14 is lifted in the direction 14A, and the disk 100 is released from the pressure contact by the inclined surface 14 'and becomes free. At this time, the flange 14e at the tip of the disk holding member 14 still protrudes on the outer periphery of the disk, which is on the disk projection area. For this reason, in the disk drive device configured such that the disk 100 is vertical, it is possible to prevent the disk 100 from dropping from the disk cartridge 301 even when the disk is released.

  Further, if the disk is to be forcibly removed, the disk holding member 14 and the pair of disk holding members 13 must be simultaneously released and removed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the operator from easily removing the disk.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a brush or dust wiping material is provided at the end 21r of the shutter 21 on the side facing the disk 100, and the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100 is accompanied by the opening operation of the shutter 21. The upper dust may be removed. Further, a lock mechanism for fixing and supporting the disk holding member to the cartridge main body 10 while holding the disk may be provided.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the disc cartridge 302 according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a state where the disc 100 is held, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the overall configuration in the state where the disc 100 is opened. Will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and 10, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The disk cartridge 302 is different from the disk cartridge 301 of the first embodiment in the disk holding member. As shown in FIG. 9, the disk cartridge 302 includes a pair of disk holding members 15 that slide in the directions of arrows 15A and 15B. 16.

  Each disk holding member 15 has an elastic portion 15d, and is urged by the elastic portion 15d in the direction of the arrow 15B. Like the disk holding members 13 and 14 in the first embodiment, the disk 100 is driven by the inclined surface 15 ′ provided at the tip. Is held and fixed to the cartridge body 10.

  The disk holding member 16 has a rotating shaft 16c, and the disk holding member 16 is provided in the cartridge body 10 so as to be rotatable about the rotating shaft 16c. Similarly to the disk holding members 13 and 14 in the first embodiment, the disk holding member 16 also holds and fixes the disk 100 to the cartridge body 10 by an inclined surface 16 ′ provided at the tip. The disc holding member 15 has a connecting pin 15p, and a groove 16g provided in the disc holding member 16 and the connecting pin 15p are engaged and interlocked.

  When the pair of cartridge positioning pins 210 of the disk drive device are fitted in the positioning holes 11w of the cartridge body 10, the disk holding member 15 moves in the direction of the arrow 15A because the projection 15s is pushed by the positioning pins 210 as shown in FIG. The slope 15 ′ releases the disc 100. In conjunction with the movement of the disk holding member 15, the disk holding member 16 rotates in the direction of the arrow 16A, and the inclined surface 16 'also releases the disk 100.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the disc cartridge 303 according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a state where the disc 100 is held, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the overall configuration in the state where the disc 100 is opened. Will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The disk cartridge 303 is different from the disk cartridge 301 of the first embodiment in the disk holding member. As shown in FIG. 11, the disk cartridge 303 holds a pair of disks biased in the directions of arrows 17B and 18B. Members 17 and 18 are provided. Each disk holding member 17, 18 is formed integrally with the cartridge body 10.

  The disk holding member 17 has an elastic portion 17d and is urged in the direction of the arrow 17B by the elastic portion 17d. Similarly to the disk holding members 13 and 14 in the first embodiment, the disk holding member 17 also holds and fixes the disk 100 to the cartridge body 10 by an inclined surface 17 ′ provided at the tip.

  The disk holding member 18 also has an elastic part 18d, and the disk holding member 18 is biased in the direction of the arrow 18B by the elastic part 18d. Further, the disk 100 is held and fixed to the cartridge main body 10 by an inclined surface 18 ′ provided at the tip.

  When the disk cartridge 303 is inserted into the disk drive device 200, a pair of disk release pins 217 provided on the disk drive device 200 press the protrusions 17 s of the disk holding member 17. As a result, the disc holding member 17 releases the disc 100 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the pair of disk release pins 218 provided in the disk drive device 200 also come into contact with the side surface 18s of the disk holding member 18, and the disk holding member 18 releases the disk 100.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the disc cartridge 304 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a state where the disc 100 is held, and FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the overall configuration in the state where the disc 100 is opened. Will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The disk cartridge 304 is different from the disk cartridge 301 of the first embodiment in the disk holding member, and includes a ring-shaped disk holding member 19.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the disk holding member 19 is formed of a ring-shaped elastic member that can be freely changed in shape, such as a rubber ring. The disk holding member 19 has an elliptical shape when no force is applied from the outside, but can be deformed to have a substantially circular shape by applying a force from the outside. When the disk holding member 19 is deformed so as to be approximately a perfect circle, its inner diameter is larger than the diameter of the disk 100.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the disk holding member 19 is in contact with the disk 100 at a plurality of elliptical locations, and holds and fixes the disk 100 to the cartridge body 10. When the disk cartridge 304 is inserted into the disk drive device 200, as shown in FIG. 14, a pair of convex portions 219 provided on the disk drive device 200 pushes the long axis side of the ring-shaped disk holding member 19 to The holding member 19 is deformed. As a result, the disc holding member 19 has a substantially circular shape, and contact between the disc 100 and the disc holding member 19 is eliminated. That is, the disk holding member 19 releases the disk 100.

  In order to release the disc 100, the force for deforming the disc holding member 19 may be applied to the disc holding member 19 by the convex portion of the disc drive device that fits into the concave portion 10g (FIG. 2) for preventing erroneous insertion. . Alternatively, it may be added to the disk holding member 19 by a convex portion of the disk drive device that fits into the concave portion 10c (FIG. 2) for drawing into the disk drive device provided on the left and right of the disk cartridge 304.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 17 are plan views showing the structure of the remaining part of the disk cartridge 305 according to the present embodiment with the cartridge upper body removed, and FIG. 15 shows the shutter 21 closing the openings 11h and 11c. FIG. 17 shows a state where the shutter 21 opens the openings 11h and 11c. FIGS. 16 and 18 show the state of the disk holding portion 43 when the shutter 21 is closed and opened.

  In this embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  A characteristic feature of the disc cartridge of this embodiment is that the disc holding / releasing operation of the disc holding member 43 is linked to the opening / closing operation of the shutter 21 by the disc holding interlocking member 44.

  As shown by arrows 44A in FIGS. 15 and 17, the disk holding interlocking member 44 is arranged on the first inner side surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 so as to be able to rotate and slide around the chucking opening 11c of the cartridge lower body 11. Is provided. The disk holding / interlocking member 44 has a fan shape in which a part of a ring having an inner diameter of the chucking opening 11c is cut off.

  The disk holding interlocking member 44 is provided with an engaging pin 47 that protrudes toward the cartridge lower body 11 (in the direction toward the back of the paper surface in FIGS. 15 and 17). Guide grooves 11m and 21m that engage with the engaging pin 47 are provided in the cartridge lower body 11 and the shutter 21, respectively. Further, a plurality of protrusions 45 are provided on the outer periphery of the disk holding interlocking member 44 so as to protrude outward and in the cartridge upper body side (the direction toward the front of the paper surface in FIGS. 15 and 17). On the upper surface of the disk holding / interlocking member 44, a non-woven fabric or a coating material is applied to prevent the disk 100 from being damaged or dust from adhering to the information recording surface.

  A plurality of disk holding members 43 are provided at intervals in the area of the cartridge lower body 11 so that the outer periphery of the disk can be held when the disk is stored in the disk cartridge. In FIGS. 15 and 17, three disk holding members 43 are shown. However, two, four, or more disk holding members 43 may be provided. The disk holding members 43 are held by the cartridge lower body 11 so as to slide about the rotation shaft 43A.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the disk holding member 43 is positioned so that a part thereof overlaps the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disk holding interlocking member 44. The disk holding member 43 is pressed in a direction 43B toward the cartridge lower body 11 by a mechanism (not shown in FIG. 16) such as an elastic portion 14d shown in FIG. As a result, the inclined surface 43 ′ of the disk holding member 43 presses the disk 100 in the direction of 43 </ b> B and holds the disk 100 so that the disk 100 contacts the disk holding interlocking member 44 while contacting the ridge of the disk 100.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when a disk cartridge holding a disk (not shown) is inserted in the direction of arrow 1A into the disk drive device 200, a shutter opening / closing lever (not shown) of the disk drive device 200 is provided. Moves the shutter 21 in the direction of 21A and opens it. When the shutter 21 starts to move in the direction of 21A, a force is also applied to the engagement pin 47 of the disk holding interlocking member 44 inserted in the guide groove 21m of the shutter 21 in the direction of the arrow 21A. As a result, the engaging pin 47 is moved along the guide groove 11m of the cartridge lower body 11, and accordingly, the disk holding interlocking member 44 starts to rotate around the chucking opening 11c as indicated by an arrow 44A. . It is preferable that the guide groove 11 m extends substantially along the moving direction of the shutter 21 so that the disk holding interlocking member 44 moves in conjunction with the shutter 21.

  When the shutter 21 is fully opened, the plurality of protrusions 45 provided on the outer periphery of the disk holding interlocking member 44 are positioned below the disk holding member 43 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the disk holding member 43 is pushed upward by the protrusion 45, and the inclined surface 43 ′ of the disk holding member 43 is separated from the ridge on the outer periphery of the disk 100. As a result, the force 43B that pushes the disk 100 in the direction perpendicular to the disk surface is released, and the disk 100 is released so that it can rotate. At this time, the flange 43e at the tip of the disk holding member 43 projects above the outer periphery of the disk 100 on the projection area of the disk 100. For this reason, even in a disk drive device that holds the disk 100 vertically, it is possible to prevent the disk from dropping from the cartridge when the disk is released.

  According to the disk cartridge 305 of this embodiment, the disk can be released without inserting the disk cartridge into the disk drive device 200. For example, when the shutter 21 is opened by hand, the disk holding member 43 opens the disk 100 in conjunction with the operation of the shutter 21. Therefore, according to the intention of the user, for example, it is possible to take out the disc from the cartridge and insert another disc into the cartridge.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 19 and 20 are plan views showing the structure of the remaining portion of the disk cartridge 306 according to the present embodiment with the cartridge upper body removed, and FIG. 19 shows a state where the shutter closes the head opening. FIG. 20 shows a state in which the shutter opens the head opening. 19 and 20, the same components as those of the disk cartridges of the first and fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  A characteristic feature of the disk cartridge of the present embodiment is that the disk holding interlocking member described in the fifth embodiment also serves as a shutter. 19 and 20, the shutter 46 is provided on the first inner surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 so as to be able to rotate and slide around the chucking opening 11c of the cartridge lower body 11. Yes. The shutter 46 has a fan shape in which a part of a ring having an inner diameter of the chucking opening 11c is cut off.

  The shutter 46 is provided with an engaging pin 46p that protrudes toward the cartridge lower body 11 (in the direction toward the back of the page in FIGS. 19 and 20). A guide groove 11m that engages with the engaging pin 46p is provided in the cartridge lower body 11. When the engaging pin 46p is positioned at one end of the guide groove 11m, the head opening 11h is closed by the shutter 46, and when the engaging pin 46p is at the other end of the guide groove 11m, the head opening 11h is Opened. The guide groove 11m is provided along a part of an arc concentric with the chuck opening 11c. It is preferable that the guide groove 11m extends substantially along the insertion direction 1A of the disk cartridge so that the shutter 46 is opened along with the insertion operation into the disk drive device.

  On the outer periphery of the shutter 46, a plurality of protrusions 46c protruding in the outer peripheral direction and in the cartridge upper body 12 side (the direction toward the front of the paper surface in FIGS. 19 and 20) are provided. A non-woven fabric or a coating material is applied to the upper surface of the shutter 46 to prevent damage to the disk 100 or to prevent dust from adhering to the information recording surface.

  In the region of the cartridge lower body 11, a plurality of disk holding members 43 having the same structure as the disk holding member of the fifth embodiment are provided at intervals. The protrusions 46c provided on the disk holding member 43 and the shutter 46 hold or release the disk in conjunction with the operation of the shutter 46 as described in the fifth embodiment.

  When the disk cartridge of this embodiment is inserted into the disk drive device 200 as indicated by the arrow 1A in FIG. 19, the engagement pin 46p of the shutter 46 contacts the contact member 201 provided in the disk drive device 200. When the disk cartridge is further inserted into the disk drive device 200, the engagement pin 46p starts to move along the guide groove 11m by the contact member 201. Along with this, the shutter 46 starts to rotate around the chucking opening 11c of the cartridge lower body 11 as indicated by an arrow 46B, and the head opening 11h opens with the rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the disk cartridge is completely inserted into the disk drive device 200, the engaging pin 46p reaches the other end of the guide groove 11m, and the head opening 11h is completely opened. At this time, as described in the fifth embodiment, the protrusion 46c is positioned below the disk holding member 43, and the protrusion 46c pushes the disk holding portion up to the cartridge upper body side (front side in FIG. 20). It is done. As a result, the disk 100 held by the disk holding member 43 is released and can freely rotate.

  According to the disk cartridge of the present embodiment, the disk holding interlocking member is unnecessary, so that the thickness can be reduced as compared with the disk cartridge of the fifth embodiment. Further, by moving the engaging pin 46p by hand along the guide groove 11m, the shutter 46 can be opened and the disk holding member can be released to take out the disk.

  In this embodiment, the shutter 46 rotates clockwise as viewed from the cartridge upper body side, but the shutter 46 may be rotated counterclockwise by changing the position of the guide groove 11m.

(Seventh embodiment)
The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 21 and 22 are plan views showing the structure of the remaining part of the disk cartridge 307 according to the present embodiment with the cartridge upper body removed, and FIG. 21 shows a state where the shutter closes the head opening. FIG. 22 shows a state in which the shutter opens the head opening. 21 and 22, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements as those of the disk cartridges of the third embodiment and the sixth embodiment.

  The disc cartridge of this embodiment is different from the disc cartridge of the sixth embodiment in the structure of the disc holding member. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the disk cartridge of this embodiment includes a plurality of disk holding members 17. The disc holding member 17 has an elastic portion 17d as in the disc holding member described in the third embodiment, and when the shutter 46 is closed, the disc 100 is moved to the disc by the elastic force of the elastic portion 17d. The disc is held so as to be pressed in the center direction 17R. In this embodiment, the disk holding member 17 is formed integrally with the cartridge lower body 11, but may be formed separately from the cartridge lower body 11.

  The cross-sectional shape of the disk holding member 17 in the disk radial direction has a slope inclined so as to protrude above the outer periphery of the disk, which is the disk projection area, like the disk holding member 43 shown in FIG. For this reason, the disc is pressed against the shutter 46 by the disc holding member 17 holding the disc so that the ridge of the disc contacts the inclined surface.

  The shutter 46 includes a plurality of protrusions 46c on the outer periphery thereof. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 46 c protrudes outward, and the protrusion 46 c is located at a position where the protrusion 46 c contacts the elastic portion 17 d of the disk holding member 17 when the shutter 46 is in the open state. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the shutter 46 is opened, the protrusion 46c presses the elastic portion 17d against the elastic force in the direction 17s toward the outside of the disk 100. As a result, the disk 100 is released. However, a flange 17e is provided at the tip of the disk holding member 17, and even when the disk 100 is released, the flange 17e protrudes to the projection area of the disk. For this reason, even if the disc cartridge is inserted into the disc drive device 200 so that the disc 100 is held vertically, the disc 100 does not fall out of the disc cartridge.

  According to the disc cartridge of this embodiment, in addition to the features described in the sixth embodiment, the disc holding member 17 can be formed integrally with the cartridge lower body 11. In this case, the structure of the disk cartridge can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(Eighth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge 308 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the general structure of the disk cartridge 308 will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the first embodiment, the disk 100 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 has first and second surfaces. In FIG. 23, the first surface is a normal disk label or the like. The surface being shown is shown. The information recording surface 100A, which is the second surface of the disc 100, is shown as the back surface in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the disk cartridge 308 includes a cartridge lower body 11, a cartridge upper body 12, a pair of shutters 21 and 22, and a drop-off prevention member 23.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the cartridge lower body 11 has a chucking opening 11c that is open so that a chucking member such as a spindle motor for rotating the disk 100 can enter from the outside, and the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100. And a head opening 11h that is open so that a head that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information enters and can be accessed. The cartridge lower body 11 faces the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100. The head opening 11 h reaches the side surface of the cartridge lower body 11.

  The cartridge upper body 12 has a circular disk opening 12w that allows the disk 100 to be taken in and out and opens the entire projection area of the disk 100 so that the upper surface of the disk is exposed. The cartridge upper body 12 and the cartridge lower body 11 are bonded or welded at the outer edge portion to constitute the cartridge body 10.

  The disc 100 is accommodated by the first inner side surface 11u facing the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 of the cartridge lower body 11 and the substantially cylindrical second inner side surface 12i constituting the disc opening 12w of the cartridge upper body 12. A disk storage unit 10d is configured. As a result, the first inner side surface 11u becomes the bottom of the disc storage portion 10d.

  In the disc storage portion 10d, a space is provided between the second inner surface 12i and the disc 100 so that the disc 100 can rotate. Further, the upper portion of the disc storage portion 10d is a disc opening portion 12w, and the disc 100 held in the disc storage portion 10d exposes one side thereof from the disc opening portion 12w to the outside.

  The drop-off prevention member 23 is detachably provided on the cartridge upper body 12 so that a part of the drop-off prevention member 23 projects into the disk opening 12w. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, two dropout prevention members 23 are provided in this embodiment. On the other hand, the cartridge upper body 12 is formed integrally with the cartridge upper body 12, and is provided with a drop-off preventing portion 12s protruding from the disk opening 12w. The two drop-off prevention members 23 and the drop-off prevention portion 12s are arranged at approximately equal intervals on the circumference of the disc opening 12w, and prevent the disc 100 from dropping from the disc opening 12w. In particular, when the disk cartridge is used by being inserted vertically into the drive device, the effect of preventing the drop cartridge is exhibited.

  The shutters 21 and 22 are provided between the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and the inner side surface 11u of the disc storage portion 10d. The shutters 21 and 22 have rotation holes 21u and 22u, respectively, and are a pair of rotations provided in an area other than the disk storage portion 10d of the cartridge body 10 and on the side opposite to the head opening 11h. The rotation holes 21u and 22u are fitted to the shaft 11s so as to be rotatable. Therefore, the shutters 21 and 22 move around the rotation shaft 11s so as to open or close the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h with respect to the outside.

  A cam 21c and a follower 22c are provided near the rotation holes 21u and 22u of the shutters 21 and 22, respectively. The cam 21c and the follower 22c have shapes that mesh with each other, and constitute an interlocking mechanism 20c that opens and closes the shutters 21 and 22 while interlocking with each other.

  Protective layers 21p and 22p are provided on the surfaces of the shutters 21 and 22 facing the disc information recording surface 100A to prevent the disc 100 from being damaged or dust from entering the information recording surface 100A.

  The protective layers 21p and 22p can be appropriately selected from a scratch-proof nonwoven fabric, a dust-proof nonwoven fabric, a scratch-proof coating layer, and a dust-proof coating layer. In this embodiment, the sheet | seat which consists of a nonwoven fabric for dust prevention is affixed or ultrasonically welded as the protective layers 21p and 22p.

  The shutters 21 and 22 are urged in a direction in which the shutters 21 and 22 are closed by shutter springs 31 and 32 provided in regions other than the disk storage portion 10d, respectively. An elastic member other than the spring may be used to bias the shutters 21 and 22 in the closing direction.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the disc cartridge 308 includes disc holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b at the ends of the shutters 21 and 22. The disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b have reverse tapered slopes at the ends of the shutters 21 and 22 so as to hold the outer periphery of the disk 100 when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed. Yes. The structure and operation of the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b will be described in detail below.

  As shown in FIG. 23, on the upper surface of the cartridge main body 10 (cartridge upper body 12), to the label surface 10f on which the contents written on the disc 100 to be stored can be described, and to the drive device of the disc cartridge 308. An arrow-shaped marking or recess 10a indicating the insertion direction (arrow 1A) is provided. Further, the recesses 10c provided on the pair of side surfaces parallel to the insertion direction 1A of the cartridge main body 10 are used for pulling in when the drive device loads the disk cartridge 308 or when the disk cartridge 308 is stored in the changer. Can be used as a recess for positioning or positioning.

  FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutters 21 and 22 block the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h from the outside when the cartridge upper body 12 and the disk 100 are not present. In FIG. 25, disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b provided on the shutters 21, 22 are positioned so as to grip the outer periphery of the disk 100 (not shown).

  FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutters 21 and 22 open the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h to the outside when the cartridge upper body 12 and the disk 100 are not present. The shutters 21 and 22 rotate about the rotation holes 21u and 22u, thereby opening the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h to the outside. As the shutters 21 and 22 move, the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b also rotate about the rotation holes 21u and 22u and are separated from the outer periphery of the disk 100 (not shown).

  FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutters 21 and 22 block the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h from the outside when the disk 100 is not present. As shown in FIG. 27, the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b are in a state of protruding into the disk storage portion 10d and hold the disk 100 (not shown). On the other hand, FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutters 21 and 22 open the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h to the outside when the disk 100 is not present. As shown in FIG. 28, when the shutters 21 and 22 are in the open state, the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b are stored in an area other than the disk holding portion 10d of the cartridge body.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the shutters 21 and 22 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 29 is a sectional view passing through the center of the disk 100. As shown in FIG. 29, the second inner side surface 12i of the disk storage portion 10d in the cartridge main body 10 is provided with a notch 10w so as not to interfere with the shutter 22 (21) that performs the opening / closing operation, and further, when in the opened state. A shutter housing portion 10 s for housing a part of the shutter 22 (21) is provided in the cartridge body 10. Also, among the edges of the shutters 21 and 22 that are abutted when the shutter is closed, at least the edges 21f and 22f that are abutted on the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c are formed on the disk 100 as shown in FIG. It is superimposed in the thickness direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 30, the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b are inclined surfaces 21a ′ (21b ′, 22a ′) that are on the disk projection area and are inclined so as to protrude on the outer periphery of the disk 100. , 22b ′). That is, the inclined surface 21 a ′ has a reverse taper shape and is inclined toward the disk 100. When the shutters 21 and 22 close the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h, the disk 100 is gripped and pressed in the thickness direction 100t by bringing the inclined surface 21a 'into contact with the ridge 100c of the disk 100. Then, the information recording surface 100A is brought into surface contact with the sheets 21p and 22p of the shutters 21 and 22, and the disk 100 is held and fixed to the cartridge body 10. In this state, since the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is in close contact with the sheets 21p and 22p, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the information recording surface 100A.

  In addition, by forcibly rotating one side of the disc 100 exposed from the outside or by forcibly opening and closing the shutters 21 and 22, dirt such as dust and fingerprints adhering to the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is obtained. Can be wiped out.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the shutter 21 is integrally formed with a shutter opening / closing operation portion 21t and an elastic portion 21v for opening and closing the shutter from the outside, and a lock projection portion 21k formed therethrough. In a state where the shutter 21 closes the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h, as shown in FIG. 31, the lock protrusion 21k biased by the elastic portion 21v is a lock hole 10k formed in the cartridge body 10. And fixedly supported on the cartridge body 10 so as not to rotate the shutter 21. When the shutter 21 is fixed, the shutter 22 connected by the interlocking mechanism 20c is also fixed.

  Therefore, the shutters 21 and 22 are rotated only by pushing the opening / closing operation part 21t in the direction of the arrow 20B at the same time while pushing the locking projection part 21k in the direction of the arrow 20A by a projection or the like from the outside to disengage the lock hole 10k. By moving, the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h are opened to the outside, and at the same time, the holding of the disk 100 by the disk holding parts 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b can be released. In this way, easy disk removal by the operator can be prevented.

  The structure and operation of the dropout prevention member 23 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the drop-off preventing member 23 that is detachably provided upside down as viewed obliquely. The drop-off prevention member 23 is detachably attached by fitting the protrusions 23a, 23b, and 23c with the recesses 12a, 12b, and 12c provided near the disk opening 12w of the cartridge upper body 12 shown in FIG. .

  Further, a mechanism for preventing the disc cartridge 308 from being erroneously inserted into the drive device will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 is a front view of the disk cartridge 308 in FIG. 23 as viewed from the direction of insertion into the drive device (arrow 1B). As shown in FIG. 33, the cartridge body 10 has a recess 10g formed on one side thereof at a position shifted from the center of thickness, and is asymmetric with respect to the insertion direction 1A (FIG. 23) into the drive device. ing.

  Due to such a structure, the disk cartridge 308 can be correctly inserted into the drive device only when the convex portion provided in the drive device fits into the concave portion 10g, and the drive device operates normally.

  On the other hand, when the disk cartridge 308 is mistakenly inserted upside down into the drive device, the convex portion provided in the drive device interferes with the side surface without the concave portion 10g, and the cartridge 308 is inserted into the drive device. It is not possible. Further, even if it is mistakenly inserted in the opposite direction in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, the convex portion provided in the drive device cannot interfere with the portion of the side surface provided with the concave portion 10g and cannot be inserted. Thereby, erroneous insertion can be prevented.

  Various modifications can be made to the disk cartridge 308 described in the present embodiment.

  For example, when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the cartridge main body 10 is further reduced in thickness so that the drop-off prevention member 23 does not protrude from the upper surface 12f (FIG. 24) of the cartridge upper body 12. When the shutters 21 and 22 are in the open state, when the disk holding portions 21a and 22a pass below the drop-off prevention member 23, for example, in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutters 21 and 22, the drop-off prevention member 23 protrudes. The drop-off prevention member 23 is protruded from the upper surface 12f of the cartridge upper body 12 by pressing the portion 23a from below. With such a structure, it is possible to further reduce the thickness of the disk cartridge while ensuring a sufficient space when the disk 100 rotates in the disk storage portion 10d.

  Further, the drop-off prevention member 23 may be formed integrally with the cartridge body 10 and be foldable, and the drop-off prevention member 23 may be provided so as to be removable.

  The shutter springs 31 and 32 may be biased in the direction in which the shutters 21 and 22 open. If the operation of the shutters by the interlocking mechanism is reliable, only one of the shutter springs 31 and 32 may be provided.

  The lock protrusion 21k is formed on the shutter 21, but a lock protrusion and a protrusion are provided at the tip of the lock lever formed on the cartridge body 10 through the elastic portion, and the protrusion and the recess provided on the shutter are provided. The fitting may be removed by pushing the lock protrusion from a lock hole provided in the cartridge body, and the shutter may be opened in a freely rotatable manner. In this case, the lock lever may be formed of a resin spring formed integrally with the cartridge body 10 together with the shutter spring (elastic member).

(Ninth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge 309 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the disk cartridge 309 includes a cartridge lower body 41, a cartridge upper body 42, dropout prevention members 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d, and a pair of shutters 51 and 52.

  As shown in FIG. 35, the cartridge lower body 41 has a chucking opening 41c opened so that a chucking member such as a spindle motor for rotating the disk 100 can enter from the outside, and the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100. And a head opening 41h that is opened so that a head that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information enters and can be accessed. The cartridge lower body 41 faces the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100. Further, the head opening 41 h reaches the side surface of the cartridge lower body 41.

  The cartridge upper body 42 has a circular disk opening 42w that allows the disk 100 to be taken in and out and opens the entire projection area of the disk 100 so that the upper surface of the disk is exposed. The cartridge upper body 42 and the cartridge lower body 41 are bonded or welded at the outer edge portion to constitute a cartridge main body 40.

  The disc 100 is housed by the first inner side surface 41u of the cartridge lower body 41 facing the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and the substantially cylindrical second inner side surface 42i constituting the disc opening 42w of the cartridge upper body 42. A disc storage portion 40d is configured. As a result, the first inner surface 41u becomes the bottom of the disc storage portion 40d.

  In the disc storage portion 40d, a space is provided between the second inner surface 42i and the disc 100 so that the disc 100 can rotate. The upper part of the disk storage part 40d is a disk opening part 42w, and the disk 100 held in the disk storage part 40d exposes one side thereof from the disk opening part 42w.

  The drop-off prevention members 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d are divided by slits from the cartridge upper body 42 so as to partially protrude from the disk opening 42w, and are provided integrally with the cartridge upper body 42. The drop prevention members 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d prevent the disc 100 from dropping from the disc opening 42w. In particular, when the disk cartridge is used by being inserted vertically into the drive device, the effect of preventing the drop cartridge is exhibited. The drop-off prevention members 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d may be formed integrally with the cartridge upper body 42 through elastic members.

  The shutters 51 and 52 are provided between the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and the inner side surface 41u of the disc storage portion 40d. The shutters 51 and 52 have rotation holes 51u and 52u, respectively, and are a pair of rotations provided in an area other than the disk storage portion 40d of the cartridge body 40 and on the side opposite to the head opening 41h. The rotation holes 51u and 52u are fitted to the shaft 41s so as to be rotatable. Therefore, the shutters 51 and 52 move around the rotation shaft 41s so as to open or close the chucking opening 41c and the head opening 41h with respect to the outside.

  A cam 51c and a follower 52c are provided in the vicinity of the rotation holes 51u and 52u of the shutters 51 and 52, respectively. The cam 51c and the follower 52c have shapes that mesh with each other, and constitute an interlocking mechanism 50c that opens and closes the shutters 51 and 52 while interlocking with each other.

  Protective layers 51p and 52p are provided on the surfaces of the shutters 51 and 52 facing the disc information recording surface 100A to prevent the disc 100 from being damaged or dust from entering the information recording surface 100A.

  The protective layers 51p and 52p can be appropriately selected from a scratch-proof nonwoven fabric, a dust-proof nonwoven fabric, a scratch-proof coating layer, and a dust-proof coating layer. In this embodiment, the sheet | seat which consists of a nonwoven fabric for dust prevention is affixed or ultrasonically welded as the protective layers 51p and 52p.

  The shutters 51 and 52 are urged in the direction in which the shutters 51 and 52 are closed by shutter springs 61 and 62 provided in regions other than the disc storage portion 40d, respectively. The shutter springs 61 and 62 may be biased in the direction in which the shutters 51 and 52 open. Further, only one of the shutter springs 61 and 62 may be provided if the operation of the shutters by the interlocking mechanism is reliable.

  As shown in FIG. 35, similarly to the eighth embodiment, disk holding portions 51a, 51b, 52a, and 52b are provided at the ends of the shutters 51 and 52, respectively. Further, as will be described in detail below, convex portions 51e and 52e are provided in regions corresponding to the center hole of the disk 100 of the shutters 51 and 52, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 34, on the upper surface of the cartridge main body 40 (cartridge upper body 42), there is provided an arrow-shaped stamp or recess 40a indicating the insertion direction (arrow 1A) of the disk cartridge 309 into the drive device. In addition, a pair of side surfaces parallel to the insertion direction 1A of the cartridge body 40 is provided with a recess 40c. The recess 40c can be used as a pull-in lock or positioning recess when the drive device loads the disk cartridge 309 or when the cartridge 309 is stored in the changer. Providing the recess 40c only on one side of the cartridge 309 also serves as a mechanism for preventing erroneous insertion on the front and back when the disk cartridge 309 is inserted into or attached to the drive device. On the upper surface of the cartridge main body 40, a grip portion 40e for the operator to hold the cartridge 309 is provided. The grip portion 40e has an uneven shape for preventing slipping.

  FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutters 51 and 52 block the chucking opening 41c and the head opening 41h from the outside when the disk 100 is not present. FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutters 51 and 52 open the chucking opening 41c and the head opening 41h to the outside when the disk 100 is not present.

  Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the shutters 51 and 52 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, disk holding portions 51a, 51b, 52a, and 52b provided in the shutters 51 and 52 are on the disk projection area and are on the outer periphery of the disk 100, as in the eighth embodiment. It has a shape that has an inclined surface that protrudes upward. That is, the inclined surface has an inversely tapered shape and is inclined toward the disk 100. As a result, the same effect as in the eighth embodiment is exhibited.

  Further, the shutter 52 is provided with an opening / closing operation part 52t for opening and closing the shutter from the outside, and the shutter 51 is integrally formed with an elastic part 51v and a lock projection part 51k formed therethrough. As a result, when the shutters 51 and 52 close the chucking opening 41c and the head opening 41h, the lock protrusion 51k biased by the elastic part 51v fits into the lock hole 40k formed in the cartridge body 40. The shutter 51 is fixedly supported on the cartridge body 40 so as not to rotate. When the shutter 51 is fixed, the shutter 52 connected by the interlocking mechanism 50c is also fixed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 36, only by pushing the opening / closing operation part 52t in the direction of the arrow 50B while pushing the locking projection 51k in the direction of the arrow 50A by a projection or the like from the outside to disengage the lock hole 40k. By rotating the shutters 51 and 52, the chucking opening 41c and the head opening 41h are opened to the outside, and at the same time, the holding of the disk 100 by the disk holding parts 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b can be released. In this way, easy disk removal by the operator can be prevented.

  Further, unlike the eighth embodiment, the lock projection 51k and the opening / closing operation part 52t provided on the shutters 51 and 52 are provided on the separate shutters 51 and 52, respectively. Such a structure is particularly effective for a disk cartridge for a small-diameter disk. This is because, in a disk cartridge for a small-diameter disk, since the entire cartridge and the shutter are small, it is difficult to design a lock projection and an opening / closing operation section on one shutter. Even if the lock protrusion and the opening / closing operation part can be formed on one shutter, the distance between the shutter opening / closing mechanism provided on the drive device side and the unlocking mechanism is very narrow, or both mechanisms are provided in a small space. This is because the design of the drive device becomes difficult due to necessity.

  Although the lock protrusion 51k is formed on the shutter 51, a lock protrusion and a protrusion are provided on the tip of the lock lever formed on the cartridge body 40 via an elastic portion, and the protrusion and the recess provided on the shutter. May be removed by pushing a lock projection from a lock hole provided in the cartridge body, and the shutter may be opened freely. In this case, the lock lever may be formed of a resin spring formed integrally with the cartridge body 40 together with the shutter spring (elastic member).

  Next, the function of the convex portions 51e and 52e provided on the shutters 51 and 52 will be described. FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the center of the disk passing through the center of the disk 100. As shown in FIG. 38, when the shutters 51 and 52 are closed, the convex portions 51e and 52e protrude into the center hole 100h, and the disk 100 is in surface contact with the shutters 51 and 52.

  As shown in FIG. 39, when the shutters 51 and 52 shift to the open state, the convex portions 51e and 52e sink into the lower surface of the disk 100 from the center hole 100h, lift the disk 100, and the shutters 51 and 52 and the disk. The surface contact with 100 is released. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the shutters 51 and 52 from scratching the information recording surface 100A when the shutters 51 and 52 are opened and closed. Since the movement area of the protrusions 51e and 52e due to the opening and closing operation of the shutters 51 and 52 is on the inner peripheral side of the information recording area of the information recording surface 100A, the protrusions 51e and 52e do not contact the information recording area. The recording area is not damaged.

  Next, the structure and operation of the drop-off prevention member will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disk passing through the center of the disk 100, and convex portions 42c ′ (42a ′, 42b ′, 42d ′) are formed on the back surface of the dropout prevention member 42c (42a, 42b, 42d). Yes. As shown in FIG. 40, in a state where the shutters 51 and 52 are closed, the drop-off prevention member 42 c is approximately parallel to the disk 100 and is within the thickness of the cartridge 309. The appearance of the disk cartridge 309 in this state is shown in FIG.

  In the state where the shutters 51 and 52 are opened, as shown in FIG. 41, the inclined portions 52f, 51f, 51d and 52d formed on the shutters 51 and 52 are respectively convex portions 42a ′, 42b ′, 42c ′ and 42d. , And the drop prevention members 42 a, 42 b, 42 c and 42 d are pushed up above the disk 100. The appearance of the disk cartridge 309 in this state is shown in FIG. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the disc 100 from dropping from the disc cartridge 309 especially after the disc cartridge 309 is inserted vertically into the disc drive apparatus until the disc 100 is chucked. On the other hand, when the disc 100 is chucked, the space in which the disc 100 can operate can be expanded. In addition, this structure can make the cartridge body thinner.

  In the state where the shutters 51 and 52 are opened, the convex portions 42a ′ (42b ′, 42c ′ and 42d ′) are formed on the inclined portions 52f (51f, 51d and 52d) in order to temporarily hold the shutter open state. ) May be provided with a convex portion or a concave portion.

(Tenth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge 310 according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The main feature of the disk cartridge 310 of this embodiment is that a drop-off prevention member is provided on the shutter.

  As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the disk cartridge 310 includes a cartridge lower body 71, a cartridge upper body 72, drop-off preventing members 81d, 81f, and 82d, and a pair of shutters 81 and 82.

  As shown in FIG. 43, the cartridge lower body 71 has a chucking opening 71c opened so that a chucking member such as a spindle motor for rotating the disk 100 from the outside can enter, and the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100. And a head opening 71h that is opened so that a head that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information enters and can be accessed. The cartridge lower body 71 faces the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100. Further, the head opening 71 h reaches the side surface of the cartridge lower body 71.

  The cartridge upper body 72 has a circular disk opening 72w that allows the disk 100 to be taken in and out and opens the entire projection area of the disk 100 so that the upper surface of the disk is exposed. The cartridge upper body 72 and the cartridge lower body 71 are bonded or welded at the outer edge portion to constitute the cartridge main body 70.

  The disc 100 is accommodated by the first inner side surface 71u facing the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 of the cartridge lower body 71 and the substantially cylindrical second inner side surface 72i constituting the disc opening 72w of the cartridge upper body 72. A disc storage unit 70d is configured. As a result, the first inner side surface 71u becomes the bottom of the disc storage portion 70d.

  In the disc storage portion 70d, a space is provided between the second inner side surface 72i and the disc 100 so that the disc 100 can rotate. The upper part of the disk storage part 70d is a disk opening 72w, and the disk 100 held in the disk storage part 70d exposes one side thereof from the disk opening 72w.

  The shutters 81 and 82 are provided between the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and the inner side surface 71u of the disc storage portion 70d. The shutters 81 and 82 have rotation holes 81u and 82u, respectively, and are a pair of rotations provided in an area other than the disk storage portion 70d of the cartridge body 70 and on the side opposite to the head opening 71h. The rotation holes 81u and 82u are fitted to the shaft 71s so as to be freely rotatable. For this reason, the shutters 81 and 82 move around the rotation shaft 71s so as to open or close the chucking opening 71c and the head opening 71h with respect to the outside.

  A cam 81c and a follower 82c are provided in the vicinity of the rotation holes 81u and 82u of the shutters 81 and 82, respectively. The cam 81c and the follower 82c have shapes that mesh with each other, and constitute an interlocking mechanism 80c that opens and closes the shutters 81 and 82 while interlocking with each other.

  Protective layers 81p and 82p are provided on the surfaces of the shutters 81 and 82 facing the disc information recording surface 100A to prevent the disc 100 from being damaged or dust from entering the information recording surface 100A.

  The protective layers 81p and 82p can be appropriately selected from a scratch-proof nonwoven fabric, a dust-proof nonwoven fabric, a scratch-proof coating layer, and a dust-proof coating layer. In this embodiment, the sheet | seat which consists of a nonwoven fabric for dust prevention is affixed or ultrasonically welded as the protective layers 81p and 82p.

  The shutters 81 and 82 are urged in the direction in which the shutters 81 and 82 are closed by shutter springs 91 and 92 provided in regions other than the disk storage portion 70d, respectively. The shutter springs 91 and 92 may be biased in the direction in which the shutters 81 and 82 are opened. If the operation of the shutters by the interlocking mechanism is reliable, only one of the shutter springs 91 and 92 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 43, similarly to the eighth embodiment, disk holding portions 81a, 81b, 82a, and 82b are provided at the ends of the shutters 81 and 82, respectively. Similarly, the protrusions 81e and 82e are provided on the shutters 81 and 82, respectively.

  Further, as will be described in detail below, drop-off prevention members 81f, 81d, and 82d are integrally formed with the shutters 81 and 82 in the vicinity of the disk holding portions 81a, 81b, and 82b of the shutters 81 and 82, respectively. The drop-off prevention members 81f, 81d, and 82d may be formed integrally with the shutters 81 and 82 through an elastic member.

  As shown in FIG. 42, on the upper surface of the cartridge main body 70 (cartridge upper body 72), there is provided an arrow-shaped stamp or recess 70a indicating the insertion direction (arrow 1A) of the disk cartridge 310 into the drive device. Further, a pair of side surfaces parallel to the insertion direction 1A of the cartridge body 70 are provided with recesses 70c. The recess 70c can be used as a pull-in lock or positioning recess when the drive device loads the disk cartridge 310 or when the cartridge 310 is housed in the changer. Providing the recess 70c only on one side of the cartridge 310 also serves as a mechanism for preventing erroneous insertion on the front and back when the disk cartridge 310 is inserted into or attached to the drive device. On the upper surface of the cartridge main body 70, a grip portion 70e for an operator to hold the cartridge 310 is provided. The grip portion 70e has an uneven shape for preventing slipping.

  FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutters 81 and 82 block the chucking opening 71c and the head opening 71h from the outside when the disk 100 is not present. FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutters 81 and 82 open the chucking opening 71c and the head opening 71h to the outside when the disk 100 is not present.

  Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the shutters 81 and 82 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the disk holding portions 81a, 81b, 82a, and 82b provided in the shutters 81 and 82 are on the disk projection area and the outer periphery of the disk 100, as in the eighth embodiment. It has a shape that has an inclined surface that protrudes upward. That is, the inclined surface has an inversely tapered shape and is inclined toward the disk 100. As a result, the same effect as in the eighth embodiment is exhibited.

  Further, the shutter 82 is integrally formed with an opening / closing operation part 82t and an elastic part 82v for opening and closing the shutter from the outside, and a lock projection part 82k formed therethrough. Thus, in a state where the shutters 81 and 82 close the chucking opening 71c and the head opening 71h, the lock protrusions 82k biased by the elastic part 82v are formed in the lock holes 70k (see FIG. 44) and fixedly supported on the cartridge main body 70 so that the shutter 82 does not rotate. When the shutter 82 is fixed, the shutter 81 connected by the interlocking mechanism 80c is also fixed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 44, only by pushing the opening / closing operation portion 82t in the direction of the arrow 70B while pushing the lock projection portion 82k in the direction of the arrow 70A by the projection or the like from the outside to disengage the lock hole 70k. By rotating the shutters 81 and 82, the chucking opening 71c and the head opening 71h are opened to the outside, and at the same time, the holding of the disk 100 by the disk holding parts 81a, 81b, 82a, 82b can be released. In this way, easy disk removal by the operator can be prevented.

  Although the lock protrusion 82k is formed on the shutter 82, a lock protrusion and a protrusion are provided at the tip of the lock lever formed on the cartridge body 70 via the elastic portion, and the protrusion and the recess provided on the shutter. May be removed by pushing a lock projection from a lock hole provided in the cartridge body, and the shutter may be opened freely. In this case, the lock lever may be formed of a resin spring formed integrally with the cartridge body 70 together with the shutter spring (elastic member).

  Next, the structure and operation of the drop-off prevention members 81f, 81d, and 82d will be described in more detail. In the state where the shutters 81 and 82 are closed, the drop-off prevention members 81f, 81d and 82d are approximately parallel to the disk 100 as shown in FIGS. 46 and 48, and the drop-off prevention members 81f and 81d are arranged from the upper surface of the disk cartridge 310. , 82d does not protrude. The appearance of the disk cartridge 310 in this state is shown in FIG.

  47 and 49, when the shutters 81 and 82 shift to the open state, the drop-off prevention members 81f, 81d, and 82d are provided on the slit 70s provided on the inner wall portion of the cartridge 70 and the inner upper wall, respectively. Guided by the inclined portion 72 s and pushed upward of the disk 100. Further, the cartridge upper body 72 is provided with notches 72a, 72b, 72c so that the cartridge upper body 72 does not interfere with the cartridge upper body 72 when the drop prevention members 81f, 81d, 82d are pushed up. The appearance of the disk cartridge 310 in this state is shown in FIG.

  Further, in a state where the shutters 81 and 82 are closed, the drop-off prevention members 81f, 81d and 82d are located in the projection area of the disk 100 and above the disk 100, so that the disk 100 is pressed against the shutters 81 and 82 in the thickness direction. It is possible to eliminate the disk holding portions 81a, 81b, 82a, and 82b of the shutters 81 and 82.

  With this structure, it is possible to prevent the disc 100 from dropping from the disc cartridge 310, particularly after the disc cartridge 310 is inserted vertically into the disc drive apparatus until the disc 100 is chucked. On the other hand, when the disc 100 is chucked, the space in which the disc 100 can operate can be expanded. In addition, this structure can make the cartridge body thinner.

(Eleventh embodiment)
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge 311 according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, the disk cartridge 311 includes a cartridge lower body 11, a cartridge upper body 12, a pair of shutters 21 and 22, and a drop prevention member 23. Since the structure and function of these components are as described in the eighth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 52 to 56, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, the disk cartridge 311 of the present embodiment is different from the disk cartridge 308 of the eighth embodiment in that a hole 20h is provided in the shutters 21 and 22.

  Specifically, in a state where the shutters 21 and 22 of the disk cartridge 311 are closed, a hole 20h is provided in a region corresponding to the center hole 100h of the disk 100 of the shutters 21 and 22. The hole 20h is constituted by notches 21h and 22h provided in the shutters 21 and 22, respectively.

  According to this structure, when the disc cartridge 311 is left with the upper surface of the disc 100 facing upward as shown in FIG. 50, dust entering from the center hole 100h passes through the holes 20h provided in the shutters 21 and 22. As a result, the disc cartridge 311 goes out without staying in the disc cartridge 311. That is, dust does not accumulate on the shutters 21 and 22. This prevents dust from adhering to the information recording surface side 100A of the disc when the shutters 21 and 22 are open, that is, when the drive is mounted.

  The hole 20h has the same diameter and the same diameter as the center hole 100h in consideration that the disk cartridge 311 is left face-up (in the state shown in FIG. 50) or face-down (the cartridge lower body 11 is in an upward state). It is preferable to have a diameter. By satisfying such a relationship, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the shutters 21 and 22 when the disk cartridge 311 is left face-up, and information about the disk 100 when the disk cartridge 311 is left face-down. This is because dust can be prevented from directly adhering to the recording surface side 100A.

  In the disk cartridge 311, an opening / closing operation unit for opening and closing the shutters 21 and 22 is provided in the shutter 22, which is different from the disk cartridge 308 of the eighth embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 51 and 57, the opening / closing operation part 22t, the elastic part 22v, and the lock projection part 22k formed therethrough are formed integrally with the shutter 22. Therefore, unlike the eighth embodiment, the opening / closing operation portion 22t is located on the right side of the head opening portion 21h when viewed from the disk 100 side. The functions and operations of the opening / closing operation unit 22t are the same as those of the disk cartridge 308 of the eighth embodiment.

(Twelfth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge 312 according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The disc cartridge 312 is different from the disc cartridge 311 of the eleventh embodiment in that the inner side surface 12i of the disc storage portion 10d has a flange 12t and a convex portion 20w around the hole 20h of the shutters 21 and 22. Yes. Hereinafter, these features will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 58, the flange 12t protrudes from the inner side surface 12i of the cartridge upper body 12 in the inner peripheral direction of the disc 100, and is formed in almost the entire outer peripheral portion of the disc storage portion 10d. A cross section of the disk cartridge 312 when the disk 100 is stored in the disk storage portion 10d is shown in FIG. When the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, as shown in FIG. 59, the outer peripheral portion of the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is in contact with the flange 12t. As a result, the gap between the outer peripheral portion of the disk 100 and the cartridge main body is closed, and dust can be prevented from entering the information recording surface 100A.

  A gap 10w is provided between the flange 12t of the cartridge body 10 and the cartridge lower body 11, and when the shutters 21 and 22 are opened, as shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, a part of the shutters 21 and 22 is placed in the gap 10w. Prevents the cartridge body 10 and the shutters 21 and 22 from interfering with each other.

  In such a structure, as shown in FIG. 59, when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, a gap 10z that leads to the outside is generated between the disk 100 and the shutters 21 and 22. Protrusions 21w and 22w are provided on the shutters 21 and 22 in the vicinity of the disc center hole 100h to close the gap 10z. As shown in FIG. 58, when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the convex portions 21w and 22w are in close contact with each other, and a convex portion 20w that closes the entire circumference in the vicinity of the disc center hole 100h is formed. This prevents dust from entering the information recording surface 100A side of the disc 100 from the vicinity of the disc center hole 100h.

  There is a possibility that the tips of the convex portions 21 w and 22 w come into contact with the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disc 100. For this reason, it is preferable to round the ridge lines of the convex portions 21w and 22w to prevent the disc from being damaged. The convex portions 21w and 22w may be formed integrally with the shutters 21 and 22, respectively. In this case, it is preferable to adhere or ultrasonically weld a non-woven fabric for preventing scratches to the portion of the convex portion 20w that contacts the disk 100, or to form a coating for preventing scratches. Further, the convex portions 21w and 22w themselves may be formed of a nonwoven fabric for preventing scratches on the disk or a coating for preventing scratches, and may be ultrasonically welded or fixed directly on the shutters 21 and 22.

  As well shown in FIG. 59, when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the disc 100 is lifted from the shutters 21 and 22 by the gap 10z by the protrusions 20w and the flanges 12t. Is held in. That is, most of the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100 is not in surface contact with the shutters 21 and 22. Accordingly, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the information recording surface 100A from being damaged even when the shutters 21 and 22 are not subjected to processing such as attachment of a non-scratching nonwoven fabric.

  62 and 63 show a disk cartridge having convex portions 21w ′ and 22w ′ expanded in the outer circumferential direction of the disk 100, FIG. 62 shows a state in which the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, and FIG. , 22 show the open state.

  As shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the convex portions 21w ′ and 22w ′ are provided closer to the center side of the disc storage portion than the flange 12t provided in the disc storage portion 10d when the shutters 21 and 22 are open. It is preferable. Thereby, it can prevent that convex part 21w 'and 22w' and the collar 12t contact or interfere.

  The convex portions 21w 'and 22w' may be formed integrally with the shutters 21 and 22, respectively. In this case, it is preferable that a non-woven fabric for preventing scratches is adhered or ultrasonically welded to the portions of the convex portions 21w 'and 22w' that are in contact with the disk 100, or a coating for preventing scratches is formed. Further, the convex portions 21w ′ and 22w ′ themselves may be formed of a nonwoven fabric for preventing scratches on the disk or a coating for preventing scratches, and may be ultrasonically welded or fixed directly on the shutters 21 and 22. Good.

(13th Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge 313 according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the general structure of the disk cartridge 313 will be described with reference to FIGS. Similar to the eighth embodiment, the disc 100 shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 has first and second surfaces. In FIG. 64, the first surface is shown, and a label or the like of a normal disc is drawn. The surface being shown is shown. The information recording surface 100A, which is the second surface of the disk 100, is shown as the back surface in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, the disk cartridge 313 includes a cartridge lower body 11, a cartridge upper body 12, a pair of shutters 21 and 22, and a drop prevention member 23.

  As shown in FIG. 65, the cartridge lower body 11 has a chucking opening 11c opened so that a chucking member such as a spindle motor for rotating the disk 100 can enter from the outside, and the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100. And a head opening 11h that is open so that a head that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of information enters and can be accessed. The cartridge lower body 11 faces the information recording surface 100 </ b> A of the disk 100. The cartridge lower body 11 is formed by molding a synthetic resin.

  The head opening 11 reaches the side surface of the cartridge lower body 11. In order to prevent the rigidity of the cartridge lower body 11 from being weakened by the head opening 11 h, the bridge portion 11 b that connects the head opening 11 h is connected to the cartridge lower body 11. Has.

  Further, two positioning holes 11w for inserting cartridge positioning pins on the drive device side are provided on the back surface of the cartridge lower body 11.

  The cartridge upper body 12 has a circular disk opening 12w that allows the disk 100 to be taken in and out and opens the entire projection area of the disk 100 so that the upper surface of the disk is exposed. The cartridge upper body 12 and the cartridge lower body 11 are bonded or welded at the outer edge portion to constitute the cartridge body 10. The cartridge upper body 12 is also formed from a synthetic resin.

  The disc 100 is accommodated by the first inner side surface 11u facing the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 of the cartridge lower body 11 and the substantially cylindrical second inner side surface 12i constituting the disc opening 12w of the cartridge upper body 12. A disk storage unit 10d is configured. As a result, the first inner side surface 11u becomes the bottom of the disc storage portion 10d.

  In the disc storage portion 10d, a space is provided between the second inner surface 12i and the disc 100 so that the disc 100 can rotate. Further, the upper portion of the disc storage portion 10d is a disc opening portion 12w, and the disc 100 held in the disc storage portion 10d exposes one side thereof from the disc opening portion 12w to the outside.

  The drop-off prevention member 23 is detachably provided on the cartridge upper body 12 so that a part of the drop-off prevention member 23 projects into the disk opening 12w. As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, two dropout prevention members 23 are provided in this embodiment. On the other hand, the cartridge upper body 12 is formed integrally with the cartridge upper body 12, and is provided with a drop-off preventing portion 12s protruding from the disk opening 12w. The two drop-off prevention members 23 and the drop-off prevention portion 12s are arranged at approximately equal intervals on the circumference of the disc opening 12w, and prevent the disc 100 from dropping from the disc opening 12w. Further, two convex disk contact portions 12s' are provided in part of the dropout prevention portion 12s. The height of the disk contact portion 12 s ′ is the same height as the disk contact portion 23 a of the drop-off prevention member 23 when viewed from the disk 100.

  With this structure, even when the disc cartridge 313 is used in a vertical or face-down state, the posture of the disc 100 can be kept stable. Therefore, when the disk cartridge 313 is inserted into the drive device in a vertical or face-down state and used, the effect of preventing the drop is particularly exerted. Note that the dropout prevention member 23 may not be detachably attached to the cartridge body 10. The drop prevention member 23 may be fixed to the cartridge upper body 12 as long as the disk 100 can be rotated or moved up and down in the disk storage portion 10d to such an extent that the disk 100 can be removed from the cartridge body 10.

  The shutters 21 and 22 are provided on the same plane between the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and the inner side surface 11u of the disc storage portion 10d. The shutters 21 and 22 have rotation holes 21u and 22u, respectively, and are a pair of rotations provided in an area other than the disk storage portion 10d of the cartridge body 10 and on the side opposite to the head opening 11h. The rotation holes 21u and 22u are fitted to the shaft 11s so as to be rotatable. Therefore, the shutters 21 and 22 move around the rotation shaft 11s so as to open or close the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h with respect to the outside. The shutters 21 and 22 are also formed from synthetic resin.

  In the vicinity of the rotation holes 21u and 22u of the shutters 21 and 22, a ring-shaped portion 21c and a pin-shaped portion 22c are provided, respectively. The ring-shaped portion 21c and the pin-shaped portion 22c have shapes that mesh with each other, and constitute an interlocking mechanism 20c that opens and closes the shutters 21 and 22 while interlocking with each other. The interlocking mechanism 20c may be constituted by another mechanism capable of interlocking operation such as a cam mechanism or a gear mechanism.

  Protective layers 21p and 22p are provided on the surfaces of the shutters 21 and 22 facing the disc information recording surface 100A to prevent the disc 100 from being damaged or dust from entering the information recording surface 100A.

  The protective layers 21p and 22p can be appropriately selected from a scratch-proof nonwoven fabric, a dust-proof nonwoven fabric, a scratch-proof coating layer, and a dust-proof coating layer. In this embodiment, the sheet | seat which consists of a nonwoven fabric for dust prevention is affixed or ultrasonically welded as the protective layers 21p and 22p.

  The lock protrusion 21k provided on the shutter 21 and the lock engaging portion 22k provided on the shutter 22 so as to mesh with the lock projection 21k constitute a lock mechanism 20k that locks the shutters 21 and 22 to open and close. With this structure, the shutters 21 and 22 can be locked to each other, so that it is possible to prevent the operator from opening the shutter easily. Then, adhesion of dust, fingerprints, scratches, etc. to the information recording surface 100A of the disk 100 is prevented. The lock projection 21k is integrally formed with the shutter 21, and the lock engagement portion 22k is integrally formed with the shutter 22.

  The shutters 21 and 22 are provided with notches 21h and 22h. When the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the notches 21h and 22h come into contact with each other to form a hole 20h. In the state where the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the hole 20h is in a position corresponding to the center hole 100h of the disk 100, and the diameter of the hole 20h is substantially equal to the diameter of the center hole 100h of the disk 100. This prevents dust from adhering to the shutters 21 and 22 when the disc cartridge 313 is left face-up, and directly when the disc cartridge 313 is left face-down directly on the information recording surface side 100A of the disc 100. It is possible to prevent dust from adhering.

  As described in the eighth embodiment and the like, the shutters 21 and 22 have disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b for holding the disk 100 when the shutter is closed, scattered on the disk circumference. It is integrally formed with the shutters 21 and 22 in the form. The portions of the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b that come into contact with the disk 100 are reverse tapered slopes. With these slopes, the disc 100 can be reliably held while being pressed toward the shutters 21 and 22 when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, only the disc holding portion 21b is coupled to the elastic portion 21d without being fixed to the shutter 21, and is formed so as to be freely movable in the radial direction of the disc 100 (toward the center of the disc). ing. As a result, even when the diameter or thickness of the disc to be mounted varies, the disc holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b can hold the disc 100 reliably without rattling.

  A shutter opening / closing operation portion 22t for opening / closing the shutter 22 is formed integrally with the shutter 22 on the opposite side of the rotation hole 22u, that is, in the vicinity of the disc holding portion 22a. When the shutters 21 and 22 are attached to the cartridge body 10, the shutter opening / closing operation part 22t is located in the head opening part 11h below the bridge part 11b. When opening / closing the shutters 21 and 22, the opening / closing operation part 22t moves in the head opening part 11h along the bridge part 11b. With this arrangement, there is no need to separately provide a gap for moving the shutter opening / closing operation portion 22t in the cartridge body 10. In other words, it is not necessary to provide an extra space in the cartridge main body 10, and dust can be prevented from entering the cartridge main body 10. Further, since the shutter opening / closing operation section 22t can be disposed in the head opening of the cartridge body 10, a cartridge having an excellent design can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 66, the shutter 21 and the shutter 22 do not abut on a straight line but have a plurality of joint surfaces that are not on a straight line. Specifically, in the chucking opening 11c region, the shutter 21 and the shutter 22 have 21f and 22f, which are first joining surfaces, respectively, and in the head opening 11h region, the shutter 21 and the shutter 22 are respectively It has 21g and 22g which are the 2nd junction surfaces. The joining surfaces 21f and 22f abut on the symmetry center line of the disk cartridge 313 in this embodiment. On the other hand, the joining surfaces 21g and 22g are in contact with each other on a straight line shifted by a predetermined angle, here about 15 to 16 degrees from the symmetry center line. By adopting such a shape, the shutter 22 can be formed in an integrated shape from the vicinity of the shutter opening / closing operation portion 22t, and the rigidity of the shutter 22 can be sufficiently secured.

  The shutters 21 and 22 are urged in a direction in which the shutters 21 and 22 are closed by shutter springs 31 and 32 provided in regions other than the disk storage portion 10d, respectively. The shutter springs 31 and 32 are inserted into spring pillars 11t provided at two locations on the cartridge ridge lower body 11, respectively. In the present embodiment, torsion coil springs are used as the shutter springs 31 and 32. By using the springs having the same shape as the shutter springs 31 and 32, the cost is reduced. In addition to the torsion coil spring, various elastic members such as a compression spring, a plate spring, and a resin elastic spring can be used as the shutter spring.

  As shown in FIG. 65, the disk cartridge 313 includes a write protect member 40. The write protect member 40 is slidably mounted in the groove 11v of the cartridge lower body 11. By sliding the write protect member 40, the position of the convex portion 40t is moved, and the detection switch provided in the drive device is turned on or off corresponding to the position of the convex portion 40t. As a result, recording on the disc 100 can be prohibited or permitted.

  The disk cartridge 313 is constituted by the cartridge main body 10 including the cartridge lower body 11 and the cartridge upper body 12 described above, the drop-off preventing member 23, the shutters 21 and 22, the shutter springs 31 and 32, and the write protect member 40.

  When the cartridge lower body 11 and the cartridge upper body 12 are joined, the two rotation shafts 11 s of the cartridge lower body 11 are fitted into the two recesses 12 h of the cartridge upper body 12, respectively. As a result, the rigidity of the rotating shaft 11s is increased, and even when the shutters 21 and 22 are in the open state, the twist of the shutter rotating peripheral portion due to the urging force of the shutter springs 31 and 32 can be reduced, and a reliable shutter opening amount can be secured. .

  On the upper surface of the cartridge main body 10 (cartridge upper body 12), a label surface 10f that can describe the contents written on the disc 100 to be stored and the insertion direction (arrow 1A) of the disc cartridge 313 into the drive device are shown. An arrow-shaped marking or recess 10a is provided.

  Also, the pair of recesses 10c and 10e provided on the two side surfaces of the cartridge body 10 parallel to the insertion direction 1A are used when the drive device loads the disk cartridge 313 or when the cartridge 313 is stored in the changer. It can be used as a lock for retraction or a depression for positioning. The slit portion 10b provided on one side surface of the cartridge main body can be used as a recess for detecting the front and back when the disk cartridge 313 is inserted into the drive device.

  Next, with regard to the operation of the disk cartridge 313, FIG. 66 showing a state where the shutter is closed, FIG. 67 showing a state where the shutter is opened, FIG. 68 which is a detailed view of the shutter lock portion, and a detailed view of the disc holding portion of the shutter. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a state where the disk cartridge 313 is not mounted in the drive device, that is, a storage state will be described. At this time, the shutters 21 and 22 are closed as shown in FIG. 66, and the inclined surface 22a ′ of the disk holding part 22a of the shutter 22 abuts against the ridge of the disk 100 as shown in FIG. Thus, the disk 100 is held and pressed in the thickness direction 100t, the information recording surface 100A is brought into surface contact with the sheet 22p of the shutter 22, and the disk 100 is held and fixed to the cartridge body 10. The other disk holding portions 21a, 21b, and 22b are also formed with slope portions 21a ', 21b', and 22b ', respectively, and hold and fix the disk 100 to the cartridge body 10 in the same manner as the slope portions 22a'.

  In this state, since the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is in close contact with the sheets 21p and 22p, dust can be prevented from adhering to the information recording surface 100A. Further, dirt or fingerprints adhering to the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 can be obtained by forcibly rotating one side of the disc 100 exposed from the outside or by forcibly opening and closing the shutters 21 and 22. Can be wiped out.

  Further, since the shutters 21 and 22 are locked by the lock mechanism 20k, the operator cannot easily open the shutters 21 and 22. Therefore, the information recording surface side 100A of the disc 100 can be protected, and adhesion of dust, fingerprints, scratches, etc. can be prevented.

  Further, in the area of the shutters 21 and 22 corresponding to the center hole 100h of the disc 100, a hole 20h formed by the notches 21h and 22h of the shutters 21 and 22 is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from entering from the center hole 100h from adhering to the shutters 21 and 22 when the cartridge 313 is left unattended.

  Further, when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, of the joint surfaces of the shutters 21 and 22, the joint surfaces 21 f and 22 f that are abutted on at least the head opening portion 11 h and the chucking opening portion 11 c and the joint surface 21 g and 22g is superimposed in the thickness direction of the disk 100 as shown in FIGS. Accordingly, when the shutters 21 and 22 are not completely closed due to reasons such as the diameter of the disk 100 being varied, or when the shutters 21 and 22 are not completely locked, the shutters 21 and 22 are completely closed. Even if it is a case where it does not obstruct | occlude, a clearance gap is not produced in the joint surface of the shutters 21 and 22. FIG. For this reason, even in such a case, it is possible to reliably prevent dust, fingerprints, scratches, and the like from adhering to the disk 100.

  As shown in FIG. 70, the shutters 21 and 22 are joined around the head opening 11h so that the joining surface 22g of the shutter 22 is above the joining surface 21g of the shutter 21. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 71, in the vicinity of the chucking opening 11c, the shutters 21 and 22 are joined such that the joining surface 21f of the shutter 21 is above the joining surface 22f of the shutter 22. In this way, the angles of the joint surfaces may be different between the plurality of joint surfaces with which the shutters 21 and 22 abut. With such a structure, the two shutters 21 and 22 are reliably engaged with each other in the thickness direction of the disk, so that each of the shutters 21 and 22 can be prevented from being lifted. In the state where 22 is closed, the rigidity of the joint surfaces of the shutters 21 and 22 can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the shutters 21 and 22 have joint surfaces 21g, 22g, 21f, and 22g as shown in FIGS. 70 and 71. However, the positions of the joint surfaces of the shutters 21 and 22 and the way of joining are also described. May be in a position other than that shown in FIGS. For example, the joining surfaces 21g and 22g shown in FIG. 70 may be arranged around the head opening 11h and joined, or conversely, the joining surfaces 21f and 22f shown in FIG. It may be arranged around 11c and joined. As a result, the rigidity when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed is further improved, the gap between the joint surfaces can be reduced, and dust can be prevented from entering the cartridge.

  In the state where the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the convex portions 21j and 22j provided on the shutters 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 68 have two shutter stoppers 12f provided on the cartridge upper body 12 shown in FIG. Abut. Therefore, the shutters 21 and 22 are restricted with respect to rotation and do not move from the closed state. Thereby, it is possible to prevent backlash of the shutter, and it is possible to prevent damage to the shutter due to intentional handling of the operator. Further, since the rotation of the shutters 21 and 22 is restricted, the position of the shutter opening / closing operation unit 22t does not vary. For this reason, when the disk cartridge 313 is inserted into the drive device, the shutter opening / closing mechanism of the drive device can reliably engage the shutter opening / closing operation portion 22t.

  Next, a state where the disk cartridge 313 is mounted in the drive device will be described. As shown in FIG. 66, when the disk cartridge 313 is inserted into the drive device in the 1A direction, the cartridge positioning pin provided on the drive device engages with the positioning hole 11w of the disk cartridge 313, and the disk cartridge 313 in the drive device is engaged. Positioning in the horizontal direction and the height direction is performed.

  Next, the shutter opening / closing member of the shutter opening / closing mechanism provided in the drive device is engaged with the shutter opening / closing operation portion 22t shown in FIG. 68, and the unlocking member of the shutter opening / closing mechanism is connected by the lock elastic portion 21e of the shutter 21. The lock pressing portion 21y is pressed in the 20A direction. As a result, the lock projection 21k and the lock engagement portion 22k of the lock mechanism 20k are separated, and the lock is released. In this state, the shutter opening / closing operation part 22t is simultaneously moved in the 20B direction by the shutter opening / closing member. As shown in FIG. 67, the shutter 21 rotates against the urging force of the shutter spring 31 around the rotation shaft 11s. Along with this, the shutter 22 interlocked by the interlocking mechanism 20c similarly rotates against the urging force of the shutter spring 32. Therefore, when the shutter 21 is fully opened, the opening of the shutter 22 is also completed.

  At this time, the lock protrusion 21k and the lock pressing portion 21y are returned to their original shape positions by the lock elastic portion 21e. Therefore, the plastic deformation of the lock elastic portion 21e formed of resin does not occur. In this manner, the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is exposed to the outside through the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h. Further, the disk 100 held by the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b is released from the holding by the rotation of the shutters 21 and 22, and becomes rotatable in the disk storage portion 10d.

  Subsequently, the spindle motor, the turntable, and the head of the drive device enter the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h, respectively, so that recording or reproduction on the disk 100 is possible.

  In this way, the shutter 21 is only pushed by pushing the shutter opening / closing operation portion 22t in the direction of the arrow 20B at the same time while pushing the lock projection portion 21k in the 20A direction by a projection or the like from the outside to disengage the lock engagement portion 22k. And 22 are rotated to open the chucking opening 11c and the head opening 11h to the outside, and at the same time, the holding of the disk 100 by the disk holding parts 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b can be released. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the operator from easily opening the shutter or removing the disc, and thus it is possible to prevent dust, fingerprints, scratches, and the like from adhering to the disc 100.

  Next, a state where the disk cartridge 313 is ejected from the drive device will be described. When the eject mechanism of the drive device is activated, the shutter opening / closing member engaged with the shutter opening / closing operation unit 22t is separated from the shutter opening / closing operation unit 22t. As a result, the shutters 21 and 22 cannot be kept open, and the shutters 21 and 22 urged in the closing direction by the shutter springs 31 and 32 rotate in the closing direction. As a result, the shutters 21 and 22 close the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c. At this time, the shutters 21 and 22 are locked by the lock mechanism 20k. The disk 100 is held by the disk holding units 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b, and returns to the original state. In this state, the cartridge 313 is ejected from the drive device.

  In the disk cartridge 313, as shown in FIG. 69, the height of the disk contact portion 23a of the drop-off prevention member 23 provided in the cartridge body 10 and the height of the disk contact portion 12s ′ of the cartridge upper body 12 are the same. is there. Further, the inclined surface portions 21a ′ (21b ′, 22a ′, 22b ′) of the disk holding portions 21a (21b, 22a, 22b) of the shutters 21 and 22 are located above the disk 100, that is, above the disk contact portions 23a and 12s ′. It is formed high toward the 100u direction. Thus, even when the disk cartridge 313 is used in a vertical state or in a reverse state depending on the configuration of the drive device, the shutters 21 and 22 can reliably hold the disk 100. For example, particularly when the disc 100 is used in a face-down state, when the disc 100 is released from the chucking state, it abuts against the disc abutting portions 23a and 12s' and maintains a stable horizontal state. In this state, when the shutters 21 and 22 shift to the closed state, the disk 100 comes into contact with the inclined surface 21a ′ (21b ′, 22a ′, 22b ′), smoothly slides on the inclined surface, and the disk holding portion 21a (21b, 22a, 22b). Is held securely.

  As described above, according to the disk cartridge of this embodiment, the cartridge body has a structure having a disk opening, and covers only one surface of the disk. Further, by providing the shutter opening / closing operation portion in the head opening of the cartridge body, it is not necessary to form an unnecessary gap in the cartridge body. This prevents dust from entering the cartridge body.

  Further, the two shutters are brought into contact with each other on the center line of the disk in the chucking opening area, and are brought into contact with each other on a straight line shifted by a predetermined angle from the center line of the disk in the head opening area. Thereby, it can be set as the shape integrated from the shutter opening / closing operation part vicinity, and the rigidity of a shutter can fully be ensured.

  Further, since the two shutters are configured to be opened and closed, the operator cannot easily open the shutters. Therefore, adhesion of dust, fingerprints, scratches, etc. to the disk can be prevented.

  In addition, at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions is not fixed to the shutter but is coupled by an elastic portion, and the force of the shutter spring is also applied to allow elastic deformation in the radial direction of the disk. As a result, even when the diameter of the disc to be mounted varies, the disc can be securely held without rattling.

(Fourteenth embodiment)
A disk cartridge 314 according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the disk cartridge 314 of this embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The disc cartridge 314 differs from the disc cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment in that the shape of the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge upper body 12 (FIG. 79) and the shapes of the disc holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a and 22b (FIG. 72 to 79), and the shape of the drop-off prevention member 53 (FIGS. 72, 77, and 78). The disc cartridge 314 further has a disc receiving portion 60 (FIGS. 72 and 81). Hereinafter, these differences of the disk cartridge 314 will be mainly described.

  In the disc cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment, the heights of the disc holding portions 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, and 22 b are substantially the same along the outer periphery of the disc 100. On the other hand, in the disk cartridge 314 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 73 and 79, protrusions are provided on a part of the disk holding portions 21b, 22a, and 22b. Specifically, the disc holding portions 21b, 22a and 22b include protrusions, and first regions 121b, 122a and 122b having a first height h1, and a second region having a second height h2. 221b, 222a and 222b, respectively. On the other hand, the disk holding portion 21a includes only the second area 221a having the second height h2.

  The first height h1 is larger than the second height h2, but is approximately the same as the height of the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b of the disk cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment. In other words, the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b of the present embodiment, except for the first areas 121b, 122a, and 122b, are the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and the disk cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment. It is lower than 22b.

  As shown in FIGS. 74 and 75, the upper surface of the first region 122a of the disk holding portion 22a is provided with a step 223 that is higher on the disk side along the outer periphery of the disk. Similarly, the upper surface of the first area 121b of the disk holding part 21b and the first area 122b of the disk holding part 22b are also provided with steps.

The first areas 121b, 122a, and 122b are areas that contact the disk first in the respective disk holding portions 21b, 22a, and 22b when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, and therefore, the second area 221b. , 222a, 222b is in contact with the disk 100 before.
The disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b move as the shutters 21 and 22 open and close. 77 and 78 well show the positions of the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed and open. 79 and 80 show a BB cross section and a CC cross section shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 77 to 79, on the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge upper body 12, when the shutters 21 and 22 are opened and closed, the first regions 121b, 122a, and 122b of the disk holding portions 21b, 22a, and 22b pass. The regions 12y, 12x, 12z to be depressed are recessed. On the other hand, the regions 12y ', 12x', 12z 'through which the second regions 221b, 222a, 222b pass are not recessed. Therefore, the thickness of the cartridge upper body 12 in the regions 12x, 12y, and 12z is thinner than the regions 12x ', 12y', 12z ', and other regions.

  As shown in FIGS. 76 and 79, the tip of the first region 122a is located above the lower surface of the dropout prevention member 53. Further, the tip portion of the first region 122a of the disc holding portion 22a enters a recess in the region 12x provided on the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge body 12, and the recess in the region 12x is the tip of the first region 122a. Receiving part. At the tip portion of the first region 122a, due to the step 223, only a part of the upper surface of the first region 122a is in contact with the inner upper surface 12u. The second region 222 a is not in contact with the inner upper surface 12 u of the cartridge upper body 12.

  In order to make the opening and closing operations of the shutters 21 and 22 smooth, it is preferable that the friction caused by the contact between the front end portion of the first region 122a of the disk holding portion 22a and the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge upper body 12 is small. Therefore, the tip portion of the first region 122a of the disc holding portion 22a has a convex shape in which the cross section along the radial direction of the disc 100 is a part of an arc. The step 223 is provided to compensate for a lack of strength due to the sharp shape of the tip portion, to increase the molding accuracy of the tip portion, and to facilitate molding.

  As shown in FIG. 80, also in the disc holding portion 22b, the tip of the first region 122b is located above the lower surface of the dropout prevention member 53. Further, the tip portion of the first region 122b enters a recess in the region 12z provided on the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge body 12, and the recess in the region 12z receives the tip portion of the first region 122b. . Although not shown, also in the disk holding portion 21b, the tip of the first region 121b is located above the lower surface of the drop-off preventing member 53, and is in a recess of the region 12y provided on the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge upper body 12. It has entered.

  In this manner, the regions 12x, 12y, and 12z of the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge upper body 12 are recessed, and a part of the disk holding portion is inserted into the recessed portion, whereby the recessed portions of the regions 12x, 12y, and 12z are formed. The entire disk cartridge 314 can be made thinner by the depth.

  According to such a structure, even when the cartridge is used in a vertical or face-down state, when the disk 100 is released from chucking and the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the disk holding portion 22a is securely inserted. The inclined portion 122a ′ of the first region 122a contacts the disc 100. Then, the inclined portion 122a 'is smoothly slid, and the inclined portion 222a' of the second region 222a of the disc holding portion 22a comes into contact (Fig. 74). At this time, the inclined portion 221a 'of the second region 221a of the disc holding portion 21a where no protrusion is provided also contacts the disc 100. As a result, the disk holding portions 21a and 22a cooperate to hold the disk 100. The disk holding units 21b and 22b hold the disk 100 by the same operation. Therefore, even if the disk cartridge is thinned, the shutter can be reliably closed in any posture, and the disk can be reliably held.

  If the entire disk cartridge is to be made thin with the shape of the disk holding portion being the same as that of the first embodiment, the disk holding of the inner upper surface 12u of the cartridge upper body 12 as shown in FIG. The regions 12x, 12x ′, 12y, 12y′12z, and 12z ′ through which the entire parts 22a, 21b, and 22b pass need to be depressed. In this case, the thickness of the cartridge upper body 12 is reduced over a considerably large area, and the strength of the entire disk cartridge is impaired. On the other hand, according to the disk cartridge 314, since the regions 12x, 12y, and 12z whose thickness is reduced are narrow, the thickness of the disk cartridge can be reduced without deteriorating the strength of the entire disk cartridge.

  In the present embodiment, three of the four disk holding portions are provided with projections as the first area, but various numbers can be selected according to the number of disk holding portions and the shape of the shutter.

  Another difference of the disc cartridge 314 of the present embodiment from the disc cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment is the configuration of the dropout prevention member 53.

  As shown in FIG. 72, the drop-off preventing member 53 has a shape obtained by cutting off a part of the disk. A cutout 54 substantially corresponding to the dropout prevention member 53 is provided so as to contact the disk opening 12w of the cartridge upper body 12, and the dropout prevention member 53 is engaged with the cutout 54 so as to be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 77, the dropout prevention member 53 is held by rotation so that a part of the dropout prevention member 53 protrudes into the disk opening 12w of the cartridge upper body 12. In addition, as shown in FIG. 78, by rotating the drop-off prevention member 53, the drop-off prevention member 53 can be held in the upper body of the cartridge, and the drop-off prevention member 53 can be held even when the protruding portion is not in the disk opening 12w. . When it is a problem that the drop-off prevention member 53 is detached from the notch 54, an unevenness or the like that engages the side surface of the drop-off prevention member 53 and the side surface of the cartridge upper body 12 forming the cut-out 54 is provided. That's fine.

  By adopting such a structure, the thickness of the drop-off prevention member 53 can be made substantially the same as that of the upper surface of the cartridge upper body 12, so that the thickness of the entire disk cartridge 314 can be reduced.

  In the disc cartridge 314 of this embodiment, the next characteristic feature is that, as shown in FIGS. 72, 77, 78 and 81, the inside of the bottom of the disc storage portion formed by the inner lower surface 11u and the inner side surface 11i of the cartridge lower body. A disk receiving portion 60 is provided around the circumference. The disk receiving portion 60 has an upper surface 60a parallel to the inner lower surface 11u of the cartridge lower body.

  When the shutters 21 and 22 are in the closed state and the disc 100 is held by the disc holding portion, the vicinity of the outer periphery of the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and the upper surface 60a of the disc receiving portion 60 are in contact with each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 and dust from accumulating on the inner lower surface 11 of the cartridge lower body.

  The shape of the disk receiving portion 60 may be other than that shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 82, a disk receiving portion 76 having a tapered shape provided so as to contact the inner lower surface 11u and the inner side surface 11i of the cartridge lower body may be provided. In this case, when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed and the disc 100 is held by the disc holding portion, the outer periphery of the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100 is in contact with the disc receiving portion 76.

(Fifteenth embodiment)
A disk cartridge 315 according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the disk cartridge 315 of this embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge 314 of the fourteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 83, the disc cartridge 315 includes four types of recesses 85, 86, 87 on the inner surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 in contact with the shutters 21 and 22, and the lower surfaces 21v and 22v of the shutters 21 and 22. It differs from the disc cartridge 314 in that 88a to 88c are provided. These four types of recesses will be described in order. The depth of the recess is, for example, about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm in the case of a disc cartridge that holds a 12 cm disc.

  As best shown in FIG. 84 showing the closed state of the shutters 21 and 22 and FIG. 85 showing the opened state, first, when the shutters 21 and 22 are opened and closed, the disk holding portions 21a of the shutters 21 and 22; A first recess 86 is provided in the region of the inner lower surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 with which 21b, 22a and 22b are in contact.

  The disc holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a and 22b are sandwiched between the cartridge upper body 12 and the lower body 11 with almost no gap. When the disk cartridge 315 is assembled or due to dimensional variations in the parts constituting the disk cartridge 315, the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a and 22b may come into strong contact with the cartridge upper body 12 and the lower body 11. . As a result, friction between the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a and 22b and the cartridge upper body 12 or the lower body 11 increases, and the opening / closing operation of the shutters 21 and 22 becomes unstable, or dust is generated by friction.

  By providing the first recess 86, a gap is formed in the lower part of the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a and 22b. Therefore, such friction can be reduced and the opening / closing operation of the shutters 21 and 22 is stabilized. And dust generation due to friction can be reduced.

  The second recess 87 is provided in a region where the outer edge portions of the shutters 21 and 22 are located when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed. As shown in FIGS. 84 and 86, the second recess 87 is provided across the outer side and the inner side including the line of the inner lower surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 corresponding to the outer edge of the shutters 21 and 22. Is preferred.

  Since the disk cartridge 315 is stored with one side of the disk exposed, the disk 100 can be pressed as shown by an arrow A as shown in FIG. In order to protect the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100, non-woven fabrics 21s and 22s are provided, but the outer edges of the shutters 21 and 22 are not completely attached. For this reason, when the disc 100 is pressed as indicated by the arrow A, the outer edge portions of the shutters 21 and 22 may come into contact with the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100, and the information recording surface 100A may be damaged.

  However, by providing the second recess 87, the outer edge portions of the shutters 21 and 22 can be deformed so that a part thereof enters the second recess 87. This disperses the pressing force and prevents the outer edge portions of the shutters 21 and 22 from coming into strong contact with the information recording surface 100A of the disc 100.

  The third concave portion is the third concave portion 88a provided on the inner lower surface 11u so as to surround the chucking opening portion 11c and the head opening portion 11h, and the shutters 21 and 22 when the shutters 21 and 22 are closed. A third recess 88b provided in a region of the inner lower surface 11u that does not overlap, and a third recess provided in a region of the inner lower surface 11u that overlaps the shutters 21 and 22 in a state where the shutters 21 and 22 are closed. 88c is included. The third recesses 88b and 88c are provided in an arc shape along the inner surface of the disc storage portion. In the present embodiment, three third recesses 88a are provided.

  The disk cartridge 315 includes various structures for preventing dust from entering the disk cartridge and the dust from adhering to the information recording surface of the disk, such as a disk receiving portion. It is difficult to completely prevent adhesion.

  The third recess functions to store dust that has entered the disk cartridge 315. Specifically, dust moves to these third recesses as the shutters 21 and 22 open and close. The dust that has once entered the third recess does not come into contact with the shutters 21 and 22, and thus remains in the third recess without coming out of the third recess again. By storing dust in the third recess in this way, it is possible to reduce malfunction of the shutter due to dust and dust generation due to friction.

  Such an effect can also be obtained by the first recess 86 and the second recess 87. Therefore, the first recess 86, the second recess 87, and the third recesses 88a to 88c do not necessarily have to be all provided, and even if any one of them is provided, at least the operation of the shutter due to dust. Dust generation due to defects or friction can be reduced.

  Further, in order to more effectively remove dust that has entered between the shutters 21 and 22 and the inner lower surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 and collect the dust in the second recess 87 or the like, the lower surfaces 21v and 22v of the shutters 21 and 22 A recess 85 may be further provided along the outer edge portion. In this case, as shown in FIG. 84, it is preferable to provide a recess 85 on the center side of the cartridge with respect to the second recess 87 in a state where the shutters 21 and 22 are closed. 86, the recesses 85 of the shutters 21 and 22 and the second recess 87 of the inner lower surface 11u of the cartridge lower body 11 are preferably not in communication with the shutters 21 and 22 closed.

  By providing the concave portion 85, the outer edge portions of the shutters 21 and 22 are more easily deformed. Therefore, even if the force indicated by the arrow A is applied to the disc 100, the possibility that the outer edge portions of the shutters 21 and 22 come into strong contact with the information recording surface 100A and damage the information recording surface 100A is reduced. There is also an effect that can be done. Further, by providing a nonwoven fabric or the like in the recesses 86, 87, 88a, 88b, 88c by welding or adhering, the gap of the cartridge main body can be filled, and dust from the outside can be prevented more firmly.

  In this embodiment, an example in which various concave portions are provided in the disk cartridge 314 of the fourteenth embodiment is shown, but these concave portions may be provided in the disk cartridges of the eighth to thirteenth embodiments.

(Sixteenth embodiment)
A disk cartridge 316 according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the disk cartridge 316 of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 88, the disc cartridge 316 of this embodiment includes a first opening / closing operation portion 22t on the first side surface 10p of the cartridge body which is approximately perpendicular to the disc insertion direction 1A, and the second side surface 10q. Includes a second opening / closing operation section 93. Among these, the first opening / closing operation part 22t has the same structure as the opening / closing operation part 22t of the disc cartridge of the thirteenth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 89, the second opening / closing operation section 93 has a gear shape having a hole that can be inserted into the rotary shaft 11q provided in the cartridge lower body 11. An opening 11r is provided on the side surface of the cartridge lower body 11 such that a part of the second opening / closing operation portion 93 is exposed from the second side surface 10q of the cartridge body 10 when the second opening / closing operation portion 93 is inserted into the rotation shaft 11q. . The rotating shaft 11q may be provided on the cartridge upper body 12.

  Of the two shutters 21 and 22 that open or close the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c provided in the cartridge lower body 11, the shutter 22 that is the first shutter member has a first opening / closing operation portion 22t. It is integrally formed. On the other hand, a sector gear 21m that engages with a gear-shaped second opening / closing operation portion 93 is provided in the vicinity of the disk holding portion 21b on the outer surface of the shutter 21 that is the second shutter member. The center of the sector gear 21m coincides with the rotation hole 21u of the shutter 21. A recess 21n is provided adjacent to the sector gear 21m. The concave portion 21n creates a space in which the gear-shaped second opening / closing operation portion 93 can engage with the sector gear 21m.

  In order to open and close the shutters 21 and 22 using the first opening / closing operation part 22t, first, as shown in FIG. 90, the engagement state of the lock mechanism 20k including the lock projection part 21k and the lock engagement part 22k is released. To do. Then, as indicated by the arrow 22W, the first opening / closing operation portion 22t is slid along the first side surface 10p of the cartridge. As a result, as shown in FIG. 91, the movement of the shutter 22 is transmitted to the shutter 21 via the interlocking mechanism 20c, and the shutters 21 and 22 cooperate to open the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c.

  On the other hand, in order to open and close the shutters 21 and 22 using the second opening / closing operation section 93, first, as shown in FIG. 90, the engagement state of the lock mechanism 20k is released. Next, the second opening / closing operation section 93 is rotated as indicated by an arrow 93A. Then, it engages with the gear of the second opening / closing operation section 93, and the sector gear 21m starts to rotate around the rotation hole 21u. This movement is an opening operation of the shutter 21. Since the movement of the shutter 21 is transmitted to the shutter 22 via the interlocking mechanism 20c, the shutters 21 and 22 cooperate to open the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c. As shown in FIG. 91, when the shutters 21 and 22 completely open the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c, a part of the second opening / closing operation part 93 is in a recess 21n provided in the shutter 21. Get in.

  When closing the shutters 21 and 22, the first opening / closing operation part 22t may be slid in the direction opposite to 22W, or the second opening / closing operation part 93 may be rotated in the direction opposite to 93A. In the present embodiment, since the shutter springs 31 and 32 are provided so that the force acts in the direction in which the shutters 21 and 22 are closed, the force that opens the shutters 21 and 22 against the force of the shutter springs 31 and 32, or the opening. If the force for maintaining the state is not applied to the first opening / closing operation unit 22t and the second opening / closing operation unit 93, the shutters 21 and 22 are closed without performing the above-described operation.

  In the disc cartridge 316 of the present embodiment, the opening / closing operation portions of the shutters 21 and 22 are provided on both a plane perpendicular to the disc insertion direction and a plane parallel to the disc insertion direction. Therefore, even in a disk drive device that supports only a disk cartridge whose shutter opening / closing operation section is provided on a side surface perpendicular to the disk cartridge insertion direction, the shutter opening / closing operation section is positioned in the disk cartridge insertion direction. Even in the case of a disk drive device that supports only the disk cartridge provided on the side surface parallel to the disk, information can be recorded / reproduced with respect to the disk stored in the disk cartridge of the present embodiment.

  Further, according to the disk cartridge 316 of the present embodiment, the second opening / closing operation portion 93 provided on the side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the disk cartridge 316 has a gear shape. Therefore, the shutter opening / closing mechanism provided in the disk drive device can also be formed by various gears that can be engaged with the second opening / closing operation section 93, and the shutters 21 and 22 of the disk cartridge 316 can be surely secured by a relatively simple mechanism. Can be opened and closed.

  In the above embodiment, the sector gear 21m is provided in the vicinity of the disk holding portion 21b. This is because if it is provided at this position, the distance from the sector gear 21m to the rotation hole 21u of the shutter 21 can be reduced, and the length of the sector gear 21m required to completely open the shutter 21 can be shortened. However, the place where the sector gear 21m is formed is not limited to this position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 92 and 93, the sector gear 21m is provided at a position where the center of the disk is approximately on the extended line of the arc of the sector gear 21m, and the second opening / closing operation unit is engaged with the sector gear 21m. 93 may be provided. If the second opening / closing operation section 93 is provided at this position, the length of the sector gear 21m required to completely open the shutter 21 is increased, but the distance from the rotation hole 21u can also be increased. This corresponds to increasing the distance between the fulcrum and the action point, and the shutter 21 and 22 can be opened and closed by rotating the second opening / closing operation unit 93 with a lighter force.

(Seventeenth embodiment)
A disk cartridge 317 according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the disk cartridge 317 of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge 316 of the sixteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 94, the disk cartridge 317 of the present embodiment replaces the second opening / closing operation section 93 of the disk cartridge 316 of the sixteenth embodiment with the second opening / closing operation section 94 as the second side surface 10q. In preparation.

  As well shown in FIG. 95, the second opening / closing operation portion 94 is a link member that can slide along the opening 11r provided on the side surface of the cartridge lower body 11, and bends in the middle thereof. Yes. Further, a projection 94 a is provided at the end of the second opening / closing operation portion 94, and this projection 94 a engages with a groove 21 i provided in the vicinity of the disc holding portion 21 b of the shutter 21.

  96 and 97 show a state where the shutters 21 and 22 of the disk cartridge 317 are closed and opened, respectively. As described in the thirteenth and sixteenth embodiments, the shutters 21 and 22 can be opened and closed by sliding the first opening / closing operation unit 22t in the direction of the arrow 22w or the opposite direction.

  In order to open and close the shutters 21 and 22 using the second opening / closing operation unit 94, first, the engaged state of the lock mechanism 20k is released as shown in FIG. Next, the second opening / closing operation unit 94 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow 94B. By this operation, a force acts to move the protrusion 94a of the second opening / closing operation unit 94 in the direction of the arrow 94B. As a result, the shutter 21 opens around the rotation hole 21u. Since the movement of the shutter 21 is transmitted to the shutter 22 via the interlocking mechanism 20c, the shutters 21 and 22 cooperate to open the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c. The point that the shutters 21 and 22 can be closed by sliding the second opening / closing operation unit 94 in the opposite direction to the arrow 94B and the force of the shutter springs 31 and 32 are the same as in the sixteenth embodiment.

  Similarly to the disk cartridge of the sixteenth embodiment, the disk cartridge of the present embodiment is a disk drive device corresponding only to the disk cartridge in which the opening / closing operation part of the shutter is provided on the side surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the disk cartridge. Even in the case of a disk drive device that only supports a disk cartridge whose shutter opening / closing operation portion is provided on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the disk cartridge, the shutter cartridge is accommodated in the disk cartridge of this embodiment. Information can be recorded / reproduced on / from a disc.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 96 and 97, the direction (94B) for operating the second opening / closing operation unit 94 to open the shutters 21 and 22 is opposite to the insertion direction (1A) of the disk cartridge. And parallel. For this reason, if a protrusion or the like that engages with the second opening / closing operation section 94 is provided in the disk drive device, the protrusion is inserted into the second opening / closing operation section 94 when the disk cartridge of this embodiment is inserted into the disk drive apparatus. The shutters 21 and 22 of the disk cartridge can be opened in conjunction with the insertion operation of the disk cartridge. Therefore, the shutter opening / closing mechanism provided in the disk drive device can be simplified.

(Eighteenth embodiment)
A disk cartridge 318 according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Also in the disk cartridge 318 of this embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge 316 of the sixteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 98, the disk cartridge 318 of the present embodiment replaces the second opening / closing operation section 93 of the disk cartridge 316 of the sixteenth embodiment with the second opening / closing operation section 96 as the second side surface 10q. In preparation.

  As shown in FIG. 99, the second opening / closing operation unit 96 is a belt member connected to the disk holding unit 21 a of the shutter 21. A protrusion 96 a is provided at the end of the belt member, and the protrusion 96 a can slide along an opening 11 r provided on the side surface of the cartridge lower body 11. The second opening / closing operation unit 96 may be formed integrally with the shutter 21.

  The state in which the shutters 21 and 22 of the disk cartridge 318 are closed and opened is shown in FIGS. 100 and 101, respectively. As described in the sixteenth and seventeenth embodiments, the shutters 21 and 22 can be opened and closed by sliding the first opening / closing operation portion 22t in the direction of the arrow 22w or the opposite direction.

  In order to perform the opening / closing operation of the shutters 21 and 22 using the second opening / closing operation unit 96, first, as shown in FIG. 100, the engagement state of the lock mechanism 20k is released. Next, the protrusion 96a of the second opening / closing operation unit 96 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow 96B. By this operation, a force is applied to the shutter 21 so that the distal end portion of the shutter 21 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 96C around the rotation hole 21u. Since the movement of the shutter 21 is transmitted to the shutter 22 via the interlocking mechanism 20c, the shutters 21 and 22 cooperate to open the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c. When closing the shutters 21 and 22, the reverse operation is performed.

  Similarly to the disc cartridge of the sixteenth embodiment, the disc cartridge of the embodiment is also a disc drive device that supports only the disc cartridge in which the opening / closing operation portion of the shutter is provided on the side surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the disc cartridge. However, even in a disk drive device that supports only a disk cartridge whose shutter opening / closing operation section is provided on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the disk cartridge, information is not sent to the disk cartridge of this embodiment. Recording / playback is possible.

  Further, if the shutter 21 and the second opening / closing operation unit 96 are integrally formed, the number of parts constituting the disk cartridge can be reduced. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the disk cartridge can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  In the sixteenth to eighteenth embodiments, the second opening / closing operation unit is provided on the left side surface with respect to the disc cartridge insertion direction. However, the place where the second opening / closing operation part is formed is not limited to the side face shown in the above embodiment. For example, it may be provided on the right side surface (10r shown in FIG. 88) with respect to the disc insertion direction. Alternatively, the second opening / closing operation unit may be provided on the back surface (10t shown in FIG. 88) of the disk cartridge. In this case, for example, if the belt-shaped second opening / closing operation unit 96 described in the eighteenth embodiment is used, the second opening / closing operation unit can be provided on the back surface of the disk cartridge without significant changes. .

(Nineteenth embodiment)
The disc cartridge 319 according to the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the disk cartridge 319 of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the disk cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  A characteristic feature of the disk cartridge 319 of the present embodiment is that a rotation preventing member 97 is provided in each of the disk holding portions 21b, 22a and 22b. Further, a recess 89 for ultrasonically welding the nonwoven fabric to the shutters 21 and 22 is provided.

  Specifically, holes 21q, 22r, and 22q are provided in the disk holding portions 21b, 22a, and 22b, and a rotation preventing member 97 is embedded in each of the holes 21q, 22q, and 22r. As shown in FIG. 103, the rotation preventing member 97 partially protrudes from each inclined surface 21b ′ (22a ′, 22b ′) at the disk holding portion 21b (22a, 22b), and the disk 100 holds the disk. When held by the portions 21 a, 21 b, 22 a, 22 b, the rotation prevention member 97 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the disk 100. The anti-rotation member 97 is preferably made of a material having elasticity and a large friction coefficient. For example, the anti-rotation member 97 made of rubber is preferably used.

  Further, if the rotation preventing member 97 is provided in at least one of the disk holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b, the rotation preventing effect is exhibited. However, in order to prevent the rotation of the disk 100 more reliably, it is preferable to provide the three anti-rotation members 97 as shown.

  According to this structure, when the disc 100 is held by the disc holding portions 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b, even if the operator intentionally rotates the disc 100, the rotation preventing member 97 that contacts the disc 100 is used. The disk 100 cannot be rotated with a little force due to the action of. Therefore, even if the operator tries to rotate the disk 100 while intentionally pressing the disk 100 against the shutters 21 and 22, for example, the disk 100 is prevented from rotating. Accordingly, when hard dust is caught between the nonwoven fabrics provided on the shutters 21 and 22, it is possible to prevent the disk from being damaged by the above-described operation of the operator.

  Further, by providing the rotation preventing member 97, it is possible to prevent the disk 100 from rattling in the disk holding portion.

  As shown in FIG. 102, the shutters 21 and 22 are provided with a recess 89 for ultrasonically welding a nonwoven fabric on the contact surface of the disk 10 with the information recording surface. In FIG. 102, the concave portion 89 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the portion that contacts the information recording surface of the shutters 21 and 22. It is also provided in a region inside the recess 89 surrounding the outer periphery. The formation region of the concave portion 89 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 102, and may be any as long as the nonwoven fabric can be reliably attached to the shutters 21 and 22. In this recess 89, the nonwoven fabric and the shutters 21 and 22 are ultrasonically welded. Even when a hardened portion of the nonwoven fabric by ultrasonic welding or a protruding portion from the nonwoven fabric of the resin material constituting the shutters 21 and 22 is generated by providing the concave portion 89, the hardened portion or the protruding portion is accommodated in the concave portion 89. Avoid touching the disc. This can prevent the disc from being damaged. In the first to eighteenth embodiments, the recess 89 is preferably formed in the shutter when a nonwoven fabric is provided.

(20th embodiment)
The disk drive device according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 104 is a perspective view schematically showing the main part of the disk drive device 900. The disk drive device 900 can load any of the disk cartridge 301 of the first embodiment to the disk cartridge 319 of the nineteenth embodiment. FIG. 104 shows a state in which the disk cartridge 313 of the thirteenth embodiment is loaded. The disk 100 is indicated by a broken line.

  The disk drive device 900 is for driving the disk 100 stored in the disk cartridge 313 and for recording information on the disk 100 and / or reproducing information from the disk 100. A head 908.

  The driving means 902 includes a spindle motor 904 and a turntable 906 attached to the rotation shaft of the spindle motor 904, and the spindle motor 904 is supported by the base 910. The head 908 moves along the guide 912 by an actuator (not shown).

  In addition, the disk drive device 900 includes a clamper 916 supported by the arm 914. The turntable 906 and the clamper 916 include, for example, a magnet and a magnetic body, respectively. As will be described later, the disk 100 is held between the clamper 916 and the turntable 906 by these suction forces, and the disk 100 is fixed to the turntable 906. As a result, the driving force of the spindle motor 904 is reliably transmitted to the disk 100, and the disk 100 is rotated without causing surface runout.

  The disk cartridge 313 has an operation portion 22t for opening and closing the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22 on the side surface 10p provided with the head opening portion 11h. Therefore, the disk drive device 900 includes a shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 that engages with the operation unit 22t to open and close the shutter in a region close to the side surface 10p of the disk cartridge 313 loaded in the disk drive device 900. Yes. In FIG. 104, the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 is shown separated from the operation unit 22t in order to clearly show the operation unit 22t. An actuator for moving the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 is also omitted.

  The shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 is provided corresponding to the position of the shutter opening / closing operation portion of the disk cartridge inserted into the disk drive device 900. For example, when the disk cartridges of the sixteenth to eighteenth embodiments are mounted on the disk drive device 900, the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 may be provided close to the side surface 10q.

  Two or more shutter opening / closing mechanisms 918 may be provided in the disk drive device 900. For example, in FIG. 104, a disc that can be loaded with either the disc cartridge of the thirteenth embodiment or the disc cartridge of the sixteenth embodiment is provided with a shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 close to the side surface 10q of the disc cartridge 13. The drive device 900 may be manufactured.

  The shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 has a structure that engages with the shape and operation of the operation unit 22t provided in the disk cartridge. In the case of the disk cartridge 313, since the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22 are opened and closed by sliding the operation unit 22t, a shutter opening / closing mechanism that engages with the operation unit 22t and slides in a direction parallel to the arrow 20B. 918 is provided. As in the sixteenth embodiment, when a disc cartridge having a gear-shaped operation unit is loaded, the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 is gear-shaped.

  A post 920 that defines the height at which the disk cartridge 313 is held is provided on the base 910, and the disk cartridge 313 is held on the upper surface of the post 920. A positioning pin 922 that engages with a positioning hole 11 w provided in the disk cartridge 313 is provided in the base 910.

  The post 920 and the positioning pin 922 function as a support structure that positions and supports the disk cartridge 313 at a predetermined position with respect to the driving unit 902. Instead of the post 920 and the positioning pins 922, a tray is provided as a support structure 924 in the disk drive device 900, the tray is ejected, the disk cartridge 313 is placed on the tray, and the tray is accommodated to place the disk 100 in the disk device. While being inserted into 900, the disk cartridge 313 may be positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the driving means 902 and the head 908. Further, an instruction structure using both the tray and the positioning pin 922 may be adopted.

  The operation of the disk drive device 900 will be described below.

  First, the disk cartridge 313 containing the disk 100 is loaded into the disk drive device 900. The disk cartridge 313 may be mounted manually by an operator, or the disk cartridge 313 may be transported from the disk cartridge insertion hole of the disk drive device 900 to the position shown in FIG. 104 by a loading mechanism (not shown). In this case, for example, the recess 10c described in the thirteenth embodiment or the recess 10e according to the sixteenth embodiment is provided at the position indicated by the arrow 926 in FIG. 104, and the loading mechanism is engaged with the recess 10c or the recess 10e. You may let them. A tray may be used as described above. By either method, the disk cartridge 313 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the driving unit 902 and the head 908.

  Further, the concave portion 10e described in the thirteenth embodiment or the slit 10b of the sixteenth embodiment is provided in the portion indicated by the arrow 928 or arrow 930 of the disk cartridge 313, and the disc drive device 900 is engaged with the concave portion 10e or the slit 10b. A convex portion (not shown) may be provided. By doing so, even if the disk cartridge 313 is to be inserted into the disk drive device 900 in the up-down direction or in the front-rear direction, it cannot be inserted normally due to interference with each other. Thereby, erroneous insertion can be prevented.

  When the disc cartridge 313 is mounted at the position shown in FIG. 104, the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 engages with the operation unit 22t and slides the operation unit 22t in the direction of the arrow 20B. Along with this, the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22 start to open, and the head opening 11h and the chucking opening 11c are opened. Further, as described in the thirteenth embodiment, the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 causes the disk holding portions 21b, 22a, and 22b to release the holding operation of the disk 100 via the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22. Therefore, the disk 100 is released from the disk holding portions 21b, 22a, and 22b. Subsequently, the arm 914 holding the clamper 916 is lowered, and the disk 100 is held between the clamper 916 and the turntable 906. As a result, the disk 100 is held on the turntable 906 so as to be rotatable in the storage portion of the disk cartridge 313.

  The disk 100 is rotated by the spindle motor 904. Then, the head 908 accesses the information recording area of the disk 100 to record information on the disk 100 and reproduce information recorded on the disk 100.

  When ejecting (unloading) the disk cartridge 313 from the disk drive device 900, first, the arm 914 is raised and the clamper 916 is detached from the disk 100. Subsequently, the shutter opening / closing mechanism 918 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow 20B, and the operation unit 22t is slid. Along with this, the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22 are closed. As described in detail in the thirteenth embodiment, when the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22 are closed, the disk holding unit grips the disk 100, and the first shutter 21 and the second shutter 22 are When completely closed, the disk holding unit holds the disk 100. Thereafter, the disk cartridge 313 is ejected from the disk drive device 900 by an unloading mechanism (not shown).

  In FIG. 104, the disk drive device 900 holds the disk cartridge 313 horizontally. However, as described in the first embodiment and the eighth embodiment, the disk drive device 900 may be configured to hold the disk cartridge vertically. Even when the disk cartridge is loaded vertically into the disk drive device 900, the drop prevention member can prevent the disk 100 from dropping from the disk storage portion.

  In the first to nineteenth embodiments, the form in which the nonwoven fabric is attached to the shutter by ultrasonic waves or the like has been described. However, a structure that is hard to be scratched by forming a tough hard coat or the like on the information recording surface of the disk. When the disc is provided, a non-woven fabric is not necessarily required, and the shutter may directly contact the disc. The entire surface of the shutter does not need to be in surface contact with the information recording surface of the disc, and the shutter may have a structure in which at least a part of the shutter is in contact with the information recording surface of the disc. That is, not the entire surface of the shutter but a part of the shutter may be in surface contact with the disk. Moreover, you may provide the structure which prevents a damage | wound, such as a nonwoven fabric, in the surface contact part.

  In the first to twentieth embodiments, the disc 100 accommodated in the disc cartridge has an information recording surface only on one side. This is because the disk cartridge of the present invention has a structure in which one side of the disk is exposed to the outside, and a disk having an information recording surface only on one side is illustrated as an example of a disk optimal for such a structure. Only. For example, even a disc having information recording surfaces on both sides can be appropriately stored in the disc cartridge of the present invention and loaded into the disc device to record and reproduce information. However, when a disc having an information recording surface on both sides is stored and stored in the disc cartridge of the present invention, dust may adhere to the exposed information recording surface. It is preferable to provide a mechanism.

  In the first to twentieth embodiments, the size of the disc 100 is not particularly mentioned. However, the present embodiment is a disc cartridge that stores discs of various sizes such as a 12 cm disc and other size discs. The invention can be implemented.

  Further, in the first to twentieth embodiments, the outer shape of the disk cartridge is shown to be slightly larger than the disk, but the size of the disk and the disk cartridge is in the relationship shown in the figure. It is not limited. For example, the outer shape of the disc cartridge is large enough to accommodate a 12 cm disc, but the disc storage portion and disc holding portion provided on the disc cartridge may be of a size and structure suitable for accommodating an 8 cm disc. Good. Such a disk cartridge also functions as an adapter for recording / reproducing with respect to an 8 cm disk in a 12 cm disk recording / reproducing apparatus, for example.

  The features described in each of the first to twentieth embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combination. For example, the rotation preventing member described in the nineteenth embodiment may be provided in the disk cartridge of the sixteenth embodiment. Further, various recesses for collecting dust described in the fifteenth embodiment may be provided in the disc cartridge of the sixteenth embodiment. As described above, since there are a wide variety of combinations of the first to 30th embodiments, it is impossible to list all possible combinations of examples. However, it is possible for those skilled in the art to implement such combinations of various possible embodiments based on the present specification, and such combinations of various possible embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The disc cartridge of the present invention is particularly suitable for storing a disc having a recording surface only on one side. Since the cartridge body covers only the information recording surface of the disc and has a structure in which one surface is exposed, the thickness of the cartridge can be reduced. Further, by making the shutter cover only one side of the disk cartridge, the structure can be simplified and the cost of the shutter can be reduced. Further, since the disk holding part or the disk holding member holds the disk by pressing it against the shutter or the cartridge body, it is possible to prevent the disk from rattling within the cartridge body and to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the information recording surface of the disk. . In addition, the design is superior by using the disc label surface exposed at the disc opening.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a disc cartridge that is thin, highly dustproof, excellent in design, and usable in various drive devices.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall structure of a disk cartridge in a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the disk cartridge of FIG. 1 from the bottom. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 1 is disassembled. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a disk holding member of the disk cartridge of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a disk holding member of the disk cartridge of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutter is opened and a positioning pin is inserted in the disk cartridge of FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which shows the disc holding member vicinity in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the disc holding member vicinity in FIG. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the disc is released in the disc cartridge of FIG. 9. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the disc is released in the disc cartridge of FIG. 11. It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a state in which the disc is released in the disc cartridge of FIG. 13. It is a top view which shows the whole structure in the state which the shutter of the disc cartridge in the 5th Embodiment of this invention closed. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a disk holding member in the disk cartridge of FIG. 15. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the overall structure of the disk cartridge shown in FIG. 15 with the shutter opened. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a disk holding member in the disk cartridge of FIG. 17. It is a top view which shows the whole structure in the state which the shutter of the disc cartridge in the 6th Embodiment 6 of this invention closed. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the entire structure of the disk cartridge of FIG. 19 in a state where the shutter is opened. It is a top view which shows the whole structure in the state which the shutter of the disc cartridge in the 7th Embodiment of this invention closed. It is a top view which shows the whole structure in the state which open | released the shutter of the disc cartridge of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in 8th Embodiment. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 23 is disassembled. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is closed when there is no cartridge upper body and no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the case where there is no cartridge upper body and the disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is closed when there is no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is opened when there is no disc in the disc cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the shutter of the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the operation unit of the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a drop prevention member of the disk cartridge of FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a front view of the disk cartridge of FIG. 23 viewed from the drive insertion direction. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 9th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 34 is disassembled. FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutter is closed when there is no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is opened when there is no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. 34. FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disk cartridge of FIG. 34 passing through the center of the disk and showing a state where the shutter is closed. FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disk cartridge of FIG. 34 passing through the center of the disk and showing a state in which the shutter is open. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disk passing through the disk center of the disk cartridge in FIG. 34 and showing a state where the shutter is closed. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disk passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 34 and showing a state in which the shutter is opened. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 10th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 42 is disassembled. FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing a state where the shutter is closed when there is no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is opened when there is no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the shutter is closed, which is a cross section passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 42. FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the shutter is opened, which is a cross section passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 42. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disk passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 42 and showing a state where the shutter is closed. FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the outer periphery of the disk passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 42 and showing a state where the shutter is opened. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 11th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge in FIG. 50 is disassembled. In the disk cartridge of FIG. 50, it is a perspective view which shows the state which has closed the shutter when there is no disk. In the disk cartridge of FIG. 50, it is a perspective view which shows the state which has opened the shutter when there is no disk. FIG. 51 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the shutter is closed, which is a cross section passing through the center of the disk of the disk cartridge of FIG. 50. FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disk cartridge of FIG. 50 passing through the center of the disk and showing a state where the shutter is open. FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the shutter of the disk cartridge of FIG. 50. FIG. 52 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of an operation unit of the disk cartridge of FIG. 50. In the disc cartridge of 12th Embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the state which has closed the shutter when there is no disc. FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disk cartridge of FIG. 58 passing through the center of the disk and showing a state where the shutter is closed. FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is opened when there is no disk in the disk cartridge of FIG. 58. FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disk cartridge of FIG. 58 passing through the center of the disk and showing a state where the shutter is open. FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the disk cartridge of FIG. 58 and showing a state where the shutter is closed when there is no disk. FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the disk cartridge in FIG. 58 and showing a state in which the shutter is open when there is no disk. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 13th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 65 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 64 is disassembled. FIG. 65 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter of the disk cartridge of FIG. 64 is closed. FIG. 65 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter of the disk cartridge of FIG. 64 is opened. It is a detailed perspective view of a shutter lock part. It is a detailed sectional view of a disk holding part of a shutter. It is sectional drawing which shows the joint surface shape of two shutters. It is sectional drawing which shows the joint surface shape of two shutters. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 14th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 73 is a perspective view of a shutter of the disk cartridge of FIG. 72. FIG. 73 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a disk holding portion of the disk cartridge of FIG. 72. FIG. 73 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a disk holding portion of the disk cartridge of FIG. 72. FIG. 73 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a disk holding portion of the disk cartridge of FIG. 72. FIG. 73 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is closed in the disk cartridge of FIG. 72. FIG. 73 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the disk cartridge of FIG. 72. FIG. 79 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 78. It is CC sectional drawing in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a disk receiving part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which the disc cartridge in the 15th Embodiment of this invention decomposed | disassembled. FIG. 84 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is closed in the disk cartridge of FIG. 83. FIG. 84 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the disk cartridge of FIG. 83. It is DD sectional drawing in FIG. It is EE sectional drawing in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 16th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 89 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 88 is disassembled. FIG. 89 is a schematic plan view showing a state where the shutter is closed in the disk cartridge of FIG. 88. FIG. 89 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the disk cartridge of FIG. 88. FIG. 90 is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the disk cartridge of FIG. 88 and showing a state in which the shutter of the disk cartridge is closed. FIG. 92 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the disk cartridge of FIG. 92. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 17th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 95 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 94 is disassembled. FIG. 95 is a schematic plan view showing a state where the shutter is closed in the disk cartridge of FIG. 94. FIG. 95 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the disk cartridge of FIG. 94. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the disc cartridge in the 18th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 99 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the disk cartridge of FIG. 98 is disassembled. FIG. 99 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is closed in the disk cartridge of FIG. 98. FIG. 99 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the shutter is opened in the disk cartridge of FIG. 98. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the disc cartridge in the 19th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 110 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a disk holding portion of the disk cartridge of FIG. 102. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the disk drive apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11, 111 Cartridge lower body 11c Chucking opening 11h Head opening 11e, 11f Guide groove 12, 112 Cartridge upper body 12s Fallout prevention member 21, 121 First shutter 22, 122 Second shutter 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b Disc holding portion 21w, 22w Protruding portion 23 Drop-off preventing member 100 Disc 301-319 Disc cartridge 900 Disc drive device 902 Driving means 908 Head 916 Clamper 918 Shutter opening / closing mechanism

Claims (41)

A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
And at least one of the disk holding portions includes a first area having a first height and a second area having a second height lower than the first height,
On the upper surface of the cartridge body, a region through which the first region of the disk holding portion passes when the shutter is opened and closed is recessed to receive a tip portion of the first region, and the second region passes through. A disc cartridge that is thinner than the area.   The disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first area contacts the disk earlier than the second area when the shutter is closed. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
A drop-off preventing member that is held in a movable state in the cartridge main body so as to be able to take a state protruding to the disk opening and a state not protruding to the disk opening;
Disc cartridge with   The disk cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the drop-off prevention member is movable in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the cartridge body.   The disk cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the drop-off prevention member can rotate on an upper surface of the cartridge main body. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
A disc receiving portion provided on the inner periphery of the inner lower surface of the disc storage portion so as to contact the outer periphery of the second surface of the disc when the shutter is closed and the disc is held;
Disc cartridge with   The disc cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the disc receiving portion has at least a region parallel to an inner lower surface of the disc storage portion and contacts the other surface of the disc.   The disk receiving portion is a taper provided across the inner side surface and the inner lower surface of the disk storage portion, and when the shutter is closed and the disk is held, the outer peripheral edge of the disk is the disk The disc cartridge according to claim 6, which abuts on the receiving portion. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
And a first area through which the bottom of the disk holding portion passes when the shutter is opened and closed, the inner lower surface of the cartridge body including the first area, and the first area is a recess. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
A disk cartridge including a second area located near the outer periphery of the shutter when the shutter is closed, the inner lower surface of the cartridge body being a recess. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
The cartridge body includes a third region located in the vicinity of the chucking opening and the head opening and / or in the vicinity of the inner side surface of the disk storage portion. The disc cartridge has a recessed area. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A supported shutter, and
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
First and second operation units for opening or closing the shutter;
Disc cartridge with   13. The disc cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the first and second operation portions are provided on first and second side surfaces of the cartridge body, respectively.   The disk cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the first and second side surfaces are adjacent to each other.   The disk cartridge according to claim 14, comprising a pair of the shutters.   The disk cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the first and second operation portions are respectively connected to or engaged with the pair of shutters.   The first operation unit is a protrusion connected to the shutter, and the shutter can be opened and closed by sliding the first operation unit along a part of the first side surface. Disc cartridge as described.   18. The disc cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the second operation unit is a rotating member engaged with the shutter, and the shutter can be opened and closed by rotating the second operation unit.   The second operation unit is a slide link member engaged with the shutter, and the shutter can be opened and closed by sliding the second operation unit along the second side surface. Disc cartridge as described.   The said 2nd operation part is a belt member connected to the said shutter, Comprising: The said shutter can be opened and closed by sliding the said 2nd operation part along the said 2nd side surface. Disc cartridge. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having the first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of supported shutters,
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
An anti-rotation member provided in at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions to prevent the disk from rotating while the shutter is closed;
Disc cartridge with   The disk cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the rotation preventing member is made of a material having a high friction coefficient, and is provided in at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions so as to contact the disk in a state where the shutter is closed.   The disk cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the rotation preventing member is made of rubber. A disk having a disk opening and a bottom, and storing the disk having first and second surfaces in a rotatable state and exposing the first surface of the disk from the disk opening to the outside. A storage section, a chucking opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage section for chucking the disk from the outside, and a head for performing at least one of reproduction and recording of information access to the second surface of the disk A cartridge main body including a head opening provided at the bottom of the disk storage portion,
It is movable with respect to the cartridge body between the second surface of the disk and the bottom of the disk storage portion so as to open or close the chucking opening and the head opening to the outside. A pair of shutters supported in a manner
A plurality of disk holding portions that are provided on the shutter and hold the disk by pressing the disk against the shutter when the shutter closes the chucking opening and the head opening;
At least one drop-off preventing member provided in the cartridge body so that at least a part thereof protrudes into the disk opening;
And the head opening is provided so as to reach a side surface of the cartridge body, and an operation portion provided in the shutter for opening and closing the shutter is provided in the head opening.   25. The disk cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the pair of shutters have first and second joining surfaces that contact each other, and the first and second joining surfaces are not in a straight line.   26. The disk cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the first and second joining surfaces are inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the disk and overlap each other.   The first joint surface of one of the pair of shutters is positioned above the other first joint surface, and the one second joint surface is the other second joint surface. 27. The disk cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the disk cartridge is located below.   26. The disk cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the pair of shutters has a hole in a region corresponding to a center hole of the disk in the closed state.   29. The disk cartridge according to claim 28, wherein the holes provided in the pair of shutters have approximately the same diameter as a center hole of the disk.   29. The disk cartridge according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of disk holding parts are provided at both ends of the pair of shutters, and each disk holding part has a reverse tapered slope.   31. The disk cartridge according to claim 30, wherein at least one of the plurality of disk holding portions is provided so as to be movable in a direction toward the center of the disk.   Each of the plurality of disk holding portions includes a first area having a first height and a second area having a second height lower than the first height, and the cartridge body An area through which the first area of the disk holding portion passes when the shutter is opened and closed is recessed so as to receive a tip portion of the first area, and an area through which the second area passes is formed. The disk cartridge according to claim 30, wherein the disk cartridge is also thinner.   The disk cartridge according to claim 32, wherein the first area contacts the disk earlier than the second area when the shutter is closed.   The drop-off prevention member has a contact surface that comes into contact with a disk, and at least one of the inclined surfaces of the plurality of disk holding portions is positioned above the contact surface of the drop-off prevention member. The disk cartridge according to claim 30.   35. The disk cartridge according to claim 34, wherein the pair of shutters rotate with respect to a pair of rotation shafts provided in the disk cartridge body.   36. The disk cartridge according to claim 35, wherein each of the pair of shutters has an interlocking portion that opens and closes while interlocking with each other.   37. The disk cartridge according to claim 36, further comprising an elastic member that urges the pair of shutters to be kept closed.   38. A disk drive apparatus for loading a disk cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 37 which stores a disk, recording information on the disk, and / or reproducing information from the disk. Drive means for rotating the disk;
A head for recording information on the disk and / or reproducing information from the disk;
A support structure for supporting the disk cartridge according to any one of claims 1, 3, 6, 9 to 12, 21 and 24 storing the disk at a predetermined position with respect to the driving means;
A shutter opening / closing mechanism for releasing the disc holding operation by a disc holding portion or a disc pressing member of the disc cartridge so that the shutter of the disc cartridge is opened and the disc can be rotated in a disc storage portion of the disc cartridge;
A disk drive device comprising:   40. The disk drive device according to claim 39, further comprising a clamper for fixing the disk to the driving means.   40. The disk drive device according to claim 39, wherein the support structure has a positioning pin for determining a position of the disk cartridge.

Images