JP3625342B2

JP3625342B2 - Disc cartridge

Info

Publication number: JP3625342B2
Application number: JP25993596A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 隆小正路
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1996-09-30
Filing date: 1996-09-30
Publication date: 2005-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-30
Also published as: JPH10106209A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、記録媒体としての光ディスクを収納したディスクカートリッジに関し、特に、両方向に開閉可能なシャッタを備えたディスクカートリッジに関する。
【０００２】
【従来技術】
近年、フロッピーディスクに変わる大容量の記録媒体として、光磁気（ＭＯ）記録タイプの９０ｍｍ光ディスクが普及している。また、同じ９０ｍｍの書換え可能な光ディスクとして、両面の使用が可能で更に大容量化が可能な相変化型（ＰＣ）タイプの光ディスク、およびこれを備えた光ディスクドライブも開発されている。
【０００３】
ＰＣタイプの光ディスクは、その特徴を生かすために、縦横の寸法を初めとする基本部分は、９０ｍｍのＭＯタイプのディスクと同じであるものの、主に厚さサイズとシャッタの開閉機構を独自なものとする専用のカートリッジが用意されている。
【０００４】
通常、ディスクカートリッジは、光ディスクを収納した偏平な矩形状のケースを備え、このケースの両面には、光ディスクの一部およびハブを露出するための窓部が形成されている。また、このケースには、窓部を開閉するための摺動自在なシャッタが設けられている。
【０００５】
また、近年、この種のディスクカートリッジとして、例えば、特開昭６３−１１９０８１号公報、特開昭６３−９４４８７号公報に開示されているような、窓部の左右両側へ開閉可能なシャッタを備えたいわゆる両開き方式のディスクカートリッジが提案されている。
【０００６】
この両開き方式のディスクカートリッジは、シャッタの両側に設けられた一対のシャッタばねを有し、シャッタはこれらのばねによりを窓部を閉塞した閉塞位置に保持されている。各シャッタばねは、ケースに固定された一端とシャッタに固定された他端と、を有している。また、シャッタには、所定の間隔を置いて２つの開口が形成されている。そして、シャッタばねの付勢力に抗してシャッタをいずれかの方向へ摺動させることにより、シャッタの一方の開口がケースの窓部に対抗し、窓部が開放される。
【０００７】
更に、他のタイプの両開き式ディスクカートリッジとして、ケースの幅方向全長に亘って設けられたガイドシャフトと、ガイドシャフトに摺動自在に取り付けられた一対のスライダと、これらのスライダを互いに連結した引っ張りばねと、各スライダの摺動を規制するようにケースの内壁に設けられた突起と、を備えたものが提供されている。
【０００８】
このディスクカートリッジによれば、シャッタを一方へ開放する際には、一方のスライダがシャッタとともにガイドシャフト上を移動し、他方のスライダは突起によって一方向への移動が規制される。それにより、シャッタは、引っ張りばねの付勢力を受けた状態で開放位置に移動し、シャッタに加えられていた開放力が解除されると、引っ張りばねの付勢力により、ケースの窓部を閉じる閉塞位置に復帰される。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上述した一対のシャッタばねを有するディスクカートリッジにおいては、シャッタばねの付勢力のばらつき等によりシャッタを閉塞位置に正確に保持することが困難となる。また、シャッタの開放動作時、両方のシャッタばねが伸縮動作するため、シャッタの移動ストロークも大きくとることができない。
【００１０】
また、ガイドシャフト、スライダ等を備えたタイプのディスクカートリッジにおいては、その部品点数が多く製造コストが高価になるとともに、構造が複雑で組立性が比較的困難となり、特に、大量生産における自動組立には適さない。
【００１１】
この発明は以上の点に鑑みなされたもので、その目的は、構造が簡単で自動組立が可能であるとともに、シャッタを閉塞位置に確実に保持することが可能なディスクカートリッジを提供することにある。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、この発明の態様に係るディスクカートリッジは、ディスク状の記録媒体を収納しているとともに、上記記録媒体の一部を露出した窓部と、上記窓部の形成された２つの平行な主面と、前端面と、互いに平行な２つの側面とを有する偏平な矩形状のケースと、上記窓部を閉塞する閉塞位置と、上記窓部の両側に位置しそれぞれ上記窓部を開放する２つの開放位置と、へ移動自在に上記ケースに取り付けられたシャッタと、上記ケース内で上記シャッタの両側に配設され、それぞれ上記シャッタを上記閉塞位置に向けて付勢し上記閉塞位置に保持した一対のシャッタばねと、上記シャッタの移動をガイドするガイド手段と、を備えている。
【００１３】
上記ケースは、上記窓部の両側に形成されそれぞれ上記シャッタばねを収容したばね収容部と、上記ケースの前端面に開口しているとともにそれぞれ上記ばね収容部に連通し上記シャッタばねを挿通可能な２つの開口部と、上記開口部間に位置し上記窓部に対向したブリッジ部と、を有し、上記シャッタばねは、それぞれケースに固定された固定端と、上記シャッタが上記閉塞位置にある際に上記ケースおよびシャッタと離脱可能に係合する可動端と、を有し、上記シャッタは、上記閉塞位置から一方の開放位置に向けて移動した際、上記一方の開放位置側に設けられたシャッタばねの可動端を上記固定端側に押圧して上記ケースから離間させるとともに、他方の開放位置側に設けられたシャッタばねの可動端から離間する。
【００１４】
上記ガイド手段は、上記ブリッジ部に形成された第１の部分と、上記各ばね収容部内において上記ケースの内面に形成されているとともに上記第１の部分と直線的に整列した一対の第２の部分とを有し、上記前端面に沿って延びるガイド溝と、上記シャッタに設けられ上記シャッタの移動に応じて上記ブリッジ部上および各ばね収容部内を移動するガイド突起と、を備え、上記ガイド突起は、上記ブリッジ部上を移動する際に上記第１の部分と係合する第１の突部と、上記ばね収容部内を移動する際に上記第２の部分と係合する第２の突部と、を有していることを特徴としている。
【００１８】
上記構成のディスクカートリッジによれば、組立時、シャッタをケースに装着した後、ケースの開口部を通して各シャッタばねをばね収容部内に挿入することにより、一対のシャッタばねを所定位置に装着することができる。
【００１９】
また、閉塞位置に移動した状態において、シャッタは一対のシャッタばねにより付勢されて閉塞位置に保持される。その際、各シャッタばねの可動端は、シャッタに係合するとともにケースにも係合して付勢力が規制され、シャッタが過度の付勢されることが防止される。
【００２０】
シャッタの開放時、その開放側に設けられたシャッタばねの可動端は、シャッタに押されてケースから離間し、シャッタと係合した状態で固定端側に変位する。これに対して、他方のシャッタばねの可動端は、ケースと係合した状態に保持され、シャッタから離間する。それにより、シャッタは、一方のシャッタばねのみの付勢力を受けた状態で開放位置へ移動することができる。
【００２６】
シャッタの開閉動作において、シャッタに設けられたガイド突起は、ブリッジ部上を移動する際、第１の突部をガイド溝の第１の部分に係合させることによりシャッタの移動をガイドし、各ばね収容部内を移動する際、第２の突部をケース内面に形成されたガイド溝の第２の部分に係合させることによりシャッタの移動をガイドする。従って、いずれの移動位置においても、ガイド突起によってシャッタの移動を確実にガイドすることが可能となる。
【００２７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を参照しながらこの発明の実施の形態に係るディスクカートリッジについて詳細に説明する。
まず、全体の構成について概略的に説明すると、図１ないし図３に示すように、本実施例に係るディスクカートリッジ１０は、情報記録媒体として、例えば、両面に記録再生面を有する光ディスク１４を収納した偏平な矩形状のケース１２を備えている。このケース１２は、一対のハーフケース１３を接合することにより形成されている。
【００２８】
ケース１２の上面および下面、つまり、２つの主面には、光デイスク１４へのアクセス用の窓部１６がそれぞれ形成されて互いに対向している。各窓部１６は、それぞれケース１２のほぼ中央から、ディスクカートリッジ１０の挿入方向Ａに向かって、ケース１２の前端面１２ａ近傍まで延びている。
【００２９】
ケース１２内に収納された光ディスク１４の中心部には、中心孔２１の形成されたハブ１８が取り付けられている。そして、ハブ１８および光ディスク１４の両面の一部は、窓部１６を通して露出している。
【００３０】
ケース１２には、窓部１６を開閉する両面一体型のシャッタ２２が摺動自在に設けられている。シャッタ２２は、断面Ｕ字形状に形成され、ケース１２の前端面１２ａ側からケース１２の両面側を挟むようにして取り付けられている。そして、シャッタ２２は、図１に示すように、窓部１６を閉塞する閉塞位置と、図３に実線および２点鎖線でそれぞれ示すように、閉塞位置の両側に位置しそれぞれ窓部１６を開放する２つの開放位置と、の間をケース１２の前端面１２ａと平行な方向に沿って摺動可能となっている。そして、後述するように、シャッタ２２は、ケース１２内で窓部１６の両側に配設された２つのシャッタばね８ａ、８ｂにより閉塞位置に向かって常時付勢されている。
【００３１】
次に、ディスクカートリッジ１０の各部の構成について詳細に説明する。図１および図２に示すように、ケース１２の一対のハーフケース１３は一部を除いて互いに等しい形状および構造を有し、表裏を逆にした状態で内面を向い合わせて接合されている。各ハーフケース１３は、アクセス用の窓部１６を有している。また、ハーフケース１３の表面の内、シャッタ２２が摺動する領域は、浅い矩形状の凹所１５として形成され、窓部１６もこの凹所内に形成されている。また、ハーフケース１３は、凹所１５の後端中央部から窓部１６の近傍まで突出した抜け止め用の突部１７を有し、この突部１７は、後述するように、シャッタ２２の自由端部と係合してシャッタを凹所１５内に保持する。
【００３２】
各ハーフケース１３の前端中央部には、窓部１６を横切って延びるブリッジ部２１が形成され、窓部の前端と対向している。一方のハーフケース１３のブリッジ部２１の内面には一対の嵌合孔２３が形成され、他方のハーフケース１３のブリッジ部２１には、嵌合孔２３に嵌合する図示しない一対の突起が設けられている。一対のハーフケース１３は、一方に嵌合孔２３、他方に突起が設けられている点を除いて、ほぼ同様の構成を有している。
【００３３】
各ハーフケース１３の後端側両角部には、図示しないライトプロテクト切換用の操作駒が摺動自在に嵌合される取付孔２０、図示しない光ディスクドライブへのディスクカートリッジの装填時、光ディスクドライブ側に設けられた凸部が挿通されることにより、光ディスクカートリッジを光ディスクドライブに対して位置きめするための一対の基準位置決め２４、および図示しない光ディスクドライブへのディスクカートリッジの装填を検出するための検出孔２６がそれぞれ形成されている。
【００３４】
図２および図４からよく分かるように、ハーフケース１３の内面には、ハーフケースの外縁の内、前端部を除くほぼ全周に亘って所定高さのリブ１３ａが形成され、ケース１２の両側壁および後壁を構成している。また、ハーフケース１３の内面には、光デイスク１４収納用の空間部を構成するための円環状のリブ１３ｂがー体に形成されている。
【００３５】
窓部１６の前端部の両側には、リブ１３ａ、１３ｂおよびブリッジ部２１により、それぞれシャッタばね８を収容するための一対のばね収容部３０が形成されている。各ばね収容部３０は、ケース１２の前端面１２ａに開口した開口部３２を有し、これらの開口部３２はブリッジ部２１の両側に位置している。
【００３６】
ハーフケース１３の一方の側壁内面には固定ばね受け３４が突設され、開口部３２の近傍でばね収容３０内に位置している。固定ばね受け３４は、フック状に形成されているとともに、ハーフケース１３の側壁内面側からばね収容部３０側かつ後方に向かって傾斜した傾斜面３４ａを有している。
【００３７】
また、他方のばね収容部３０内においてブリッジ部２１の近傍には、突部３６が設けられ、この突部の上面、つまり、一対のハーフケース１３を接合した際に互いに対向する側の面には、開口部３２側かつハーフケース１３の内面側に向かって傾斜したガイド面３６ａが形成されている。ガイド面３６ａは、後述するように、シャッタばね８が変形位置から初期位置、つまり、シャッタ２２が閉塞位置にある時の位置、へ戻る際に、シャッタばねのアームを所定の位置にガイドする。
【００３８】
図２、図４および図５に示すように、ブリッジ部２１の長手方向両端部には、左右一対の係止ばね受け３８がそれぞれ形成されている。各係止ばね受け３８は、それぞれ対向するばね収容部３０に向けて開口した凹所により形成されているとともに、ばね収容部３０側かつハーフケース１３の後方に向かって傾斜した傾斜面３８ａを有している。また、係止ばね受け３８と、これらに対向した固定ばね受け３４とは、シャッタ２２を開放位置に移動させた際に両者３８、３４の干渉を防止できる程度だけ、互いにハーフケース１３の前後方向、つまり、挿入方向Ａに僅かにずれて形成されている。
【００３９】
また、ハーフケース１３には、その前端面１２ａに沿って延びるガイド溝４０が形成され、この前端面の近傍に位置している。このガイド溝４０は、シャッタ２２の摺動をガイドするために設けられたもので、ブリッジ部２１の外面に形成された第１の部分４０ａと、ハーフケース１３の内面に形成されそれぞればね収容部３０内に位置した一対の第２の部分４０ｂと、で構成されている。
【００４０】
第１の部分４０ａは、ブリッジ部２１の長手方向全長に亘って伸び、その両端は、それぞれ対応するばね収容部３０に連通している。また、各第２の部分４０ｂは、第１の部分４０ａと直線状に整列して形成されているとともに、ハーフケース１３の側壁からブリッジ部２１まで伸び、第１の部分４０ａの端部に連通している。
【００４１】
なお、ブリッジ部２１は、その外面がハーフケース１２の他の部分の外面よりも低いレベルに位置し、ブリッジ部２１の先端部両端とばね収容部３０との境界部分には、ガイド溝４０まで延びるスリット４２が形成されている。そして、ガイド溝４０の第１および第２の部分４０ａ、４０ｂの端部は、このスリット４２を介して上下逆向きに対向している。
【００４２】
ブリッジ部２１の先端部内面には、ハーフケース１３の前端面１２ａに沿って延びているとともに前端面に開口した移動溝４４が形成されている。また、ブリッジ部２１の外面には、その前端からガイド溝４０の第１の部分４０ａ近傍まで延びる一対の装着ガイド溝４６が形成されている。各装着ガイド溝４６は、ガイド溝４０ａ側からブリッジ部２１の先端側に向かって傾斜して形成されている。
【００４３】
上記のように構成された一対のハーフケース１３は、互いに内面を向い合わせた状態で突き合わされて互いに接合される。同時、一方のブリッジ部２１に形成された嵌合孔２３に他方のブリッジ部に形成された突起が弾性的に嵌合され、ハーフケース１３同志の接合状態が維持される。
【００４４】
ハーフケース１３同志が接合された状態において、図６および図７に示すように、ブリッジ部２１を挟んでその両側には、ばね収容部３０が形成されている。ケース１２の左右両側壁内面には固定ばね受け３４が設けられ、それぞれ対応するばね収容部３０内に突出している。また、各ばね収容部３０内において、ブリッジ部２１の近傍には、シャッタばねのアームをガイドする傾斜したガイド面３６ａが設けられている。
【００４５】
２つのブリッジ部２１にそれぞれ形成された係止ばね受け３８は、ブリッジ部の各端部において互いに整列して位置し、対応するばね収容部３０に対向している。また、ブリッジ部２１に形成された移動溝４４の各端部は、互いに対向した２つの係止ばね受け３８間を通って延び、ばね収容部３０に連通している。更に、ブリッジ部２１に形成された装着ガイド溝４６は、他方のブリッジ部に形成された装着ガイド溝４６とそれぞれ対向して配置されている。
【００４６】
図２および図８に示すように、シャッタ２２は、それぞれケース１２の窓部１６を閉塞可能な大きさを有する細長い矩形状に形成された一対の遮蔽板２２ａと、これらの遮蔽板を連結した連結板２２ｂ、を有している。遮蔽板２２ａは所定の間隔を置いて互いに平行に対向しているとともに、連結板２２ｂは遮蔽板と直交して延び遮蔽板の一端同志を連結している。
【００４７】
図２、図８および図９に示すように、シャッタ２２の連結板２２ｂは、その幅方向中央部分に突出部５０を有し、この突出部により段部５１が形成されている。これらの段部５１には、シャッタ２２をスライドさせるための図示しない光ディスクドライブ側のシャッタ開閉機構の開閉ピン７０（図２１参照）が係合する。
【００４８】
また、シャッタ２２は、左右一対づつ設けられたガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂと、一対の可動ばね受け５４と、を備えている。すなわち、連結板２２ｂの幅方向一端部の内面に一対のガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂ、および一方の可動ばね受け５４が設けられ、連結板２２ｂの幅方向他端部の内面に他の一対のガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂ、および他方の可動ばね受け５４が設けられている。
【００４９】
ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは板状に形成され、連結板２２ｂの内面から遮蔽板２２ａと平行に突出しているとともに、ケース１２のブリッジ部２１の厚さとほぼ等しい距離だけ離間して互いに対向している。ガイド突起５２ａは、その延出端からガイド突起５２ｂ側へ直角に突出した突部５６ａ（第１の突部）と、延出端から遮蔽板２２ｂ側へ直角に突出した突部５６ｂ（第２の突部）と、有し、これらの突部は、連結板２２ｂと平行な方向、つまり、シャッタ２２の摺動方向に延びている。それにより、ガイド突起５２ａは、全体としてほぼＴ字状の断面形状に形成されている。
【００５０】
同様に、ガイド突起５２ｂは、その延出端からガイド突起５２ａ側へ直角に突出した突部５６ａ（第１の突部）と、延出端から遮蔽板２２ｂ側へ直角に突出した突部５６ｂ（第２の突部）と、有し、これらの突部は、連結板２２ｂと平行な方向、つまり、シャッタ２２の摺動方向に延びている。それにより、ガイド突起５２ｂは、全体としてほぼＴ字状の断面形状に形成されている。
【００５１】
また、各可動ばね受け５４も板状に形成され、連結板２２ｂの内面から遮蔽板２２ａと平行に突出しているとともに、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂ間に位置している。各可動ばね受け５４は、板状の突起形成された凹所５４ａを有し、この凹所は、前述したケース１２の係止ばね受け３８とほぼ同一の寸法および形状に形成されている。
【００５２】
上記構成のシャッタ２２は、樹脂により一体成形されている。連結板２２ｂの厚さｄ１は、各遮蔽板２２ａの厚さｄ２の約２倍に設定されている。また、連結板２２ｂの強度を向上させるため、突出部５０の内側には、連結板２２ｂの長手方向に延びる２本のリブ５８が一体に形成されている。また、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂ、および可動ばね受け５４の強度および位置精度を向上させるため、これらの基端部には肉盛り５９がされている。
【００５３】
更に、連結板２２ｂの突出部５０の内面には、凹所６０が形成されている。この凹所６０は、シャッタ２２を射出成形する際のゲート位置Ｇと対向しており、射出成形時の樹脂の流れを均一化するように作用する。
【００５４】
上記のように構成されたシャッタ２２は、図２に示すように、遮蔽板２２ａの自由端をケース１２の前端面１２ａ側から矢印Ｅ方向に押し込むことによりケース１２に装着される。この際、シャッタ２２のガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂをブリッジ部２１に形成された装着ガイド溝４６に位置合わせした状態で押し込む。それにより、各対のガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、ブリッジ部２１を上下から挟んだ状態で装着ガイド溝４６に沿って移動する。
【００５５】
シャッタ２２を更に矢印Ｅ方向へ押し込むことにより、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、その内側の突部５６ａがブリッジ部２１に形成されたガイド溝４０の第１の部分４０ａに係合し、連結板２２ｂはケース１２の前端面１２ａと隣接対向する。連結板２２ｂの内面から突出した一対の可動ばね受け５４は、ブリッジ部２１の先端面に形成された移動溝４４内に摺動自在に挿入される。
【００５６】
また、遮蔽板２２ａはケース１２の各上面上を移動し、その自由端は、ケース１２の各表面に形成された凹所１５の底面と、抜け止め用の突部１７との間に挿入され保持される。以上の動作により、シャッタ２２がケース１２に取り付けられる。
【００５７】
図１０に示すように、シャッタ２２が閉塞位置にある状態において、ケース１２の２つの窓部１６は、シャッタの遮蔽板２２ａによってそれぞれ閉塞される。各遮蔽板２２ａの幅は、窓部１６の幅よりも僅かに大きく形成され、遮蔽板の両側縁部は、ケース１２の上面壁とオーバーラップしている。
【００５８】
また、図１０および図１１に示すように、シャッタ２２の閉塞位置において、一対の可動ばね受け５４の凹所５４ａは、ケース１２のブリッジ部２１の両端部に設けられた係止ばね受け３８とそれぞれ整列して位置する。更に、互いに整列したこれらの可動ばね受け５４、および係止ばね受け３８は、シャッタ２２とケース１２上面壁とのオーバラップ領域６０内に位置するように設けられている。
【００５９】
図１０および図１２に示すように、シャッタ２２の閉塞位置におて、シャッタのガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、ケース１２のブリッジ部２１を両側から挟持している。また、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂの内側の突部５６ａがそれぞれガイド溝４０の第１の部分４０ａに摺動自在に係合している。すなわち、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、ブリッジ部２１上を移動する間、その内側の突部５６ａが第１の部分４０ａ内を摺動することにより、シャッタ２２の移動をガイドする。
【００６０】
一方、図１３に示すように、シャッタ２２が閉塞位置から一方の開放位置へ移動されると、シャッタの両遮蔽板２２ａはそれぞれ窓部１６から外れて窓部を開放する。この際、シャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４は、ブリッジ部２１の移動溝４４から外れて開放側のばね収容部３０内に移動する。
【００６１】
また、シャッタ２２のガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、図１４および図１５に示すように、突部５６ａがガイド溝４０の第１の部分４０ａ内を摺動した後、それぞれスリット４２を通って開放側のばね収容部３０内へ移動する。その際、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂの突部５６ａは第１の部分４０ａから外れ、代わって外側の突部５６ｂがガイド溝４０の第２の部分４０ｂに係合する。以後、シャッタ２２が開放位置に到達するまで、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂの突部５６ｂは第２の部分４０ｂ内を移動する。
【００６２】
すなわち、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、ばね収容部３０内を移動する間、その外側の突部５６ｂがばね収納部に設けられた第１の部分４０ｂ内を摺動することにより、シャッタ２２の移動をガイドする。
【００６３】
図２、図１６ないし図１８に示すように、ケース１２の窓部１６の両側に形成されたばね収容部３０内に収納される一対のシャッタばね８は、同一の構造を有するものを点対称に配置して用いている。すなわち、各シャッタばね８は、コイル部８ａと、コイル部の両端からほぼ相反する方向に延出した２つのアーム９ａ、９ｂと、を有している。一方のアーム９ａの先端部はコイル部８ａ側に直角に折曲げられて固定端１１ａを形成している。また、他方のアーム９ｂの先端部は、コイル部８ａ側に直角に折曲げられて可動端１１ｂを形成している。
【００６４】
上記構成のシャッタばね８は、シャッタ２２を閉塞位置に保持した状態で、ケース１２の前端面１２ａに開口した開口部３２からばね収容部３０内にそれぞれ装着される。すなわち、まず、シャッタ２２を閉塞位置に移動させ、シャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４とブリッジ部２１に形成された係止ばね受け３８とを互いに整列させる。この状態で、各シャッタばね８の一対のアーム９ａ、９ｂを互いに接近する方向に多少弾性変形させた後、コイル部８側から開口部３２を通してばね収容部３０内に挿入する。
【００６５】
続いて、シャッタばねの固定端１１ａをケース１２に形成された固定ばね受け３４のガイド面３４ａに当接させ、可動端１１ｂを互いに整列した可動ばね受け５４および係止ばね受け３８のガイド面３８ａに当接させる。この状態で、アーム９ａ、９ｂに加えていた押圧力を解除すると、アーム９ａ、９ｂは自身の弾性により互いに離間する方向に移動する。その際、シャッタばね８の固定端１１ａおよび可動端１１ｂは、それぞれガイド面３４ａ、３８ａに沿って移動し、固定端１１ａは固定ばね受け３４に係合し、可動端１１ｂはブリッジ部２１の係止ばね受け３８およびシャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４に係合する。
【００６６】
以上の操作により、一対のシャッタばね８の装着が終了する。図１６ないし図１８に示すように、シャッタ２２が閉塞位置にある状態において、シャッタの各可動ばね受け５４はケース１２の対応する係止ばね受け３８と整列した状態にあり、各シャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂも可動ばね受け５４および係止ばね受け３８に係合している。これにより、シャッタ２２は、２つのシャッタばね８によって両側から付勢され閉塞位置に保持される。
【００６７】
この場合、各シャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂは、可動ばね受け５４に加えてケース１２の係止ばね受け３８にも係合していることから、シャッタばね８からシャッタ２２に過度の付勢力が作用することが防止され、シャッタ２２は、シャッタばね８の予圧力によって閉塞位置に保持される。従って、製造のばらつき等によって２つのシャッタばね８の付勢力にばらつきがある場合でも、これらシャッタばね８によってシャッタ２２を閉塞位置に正確に保持することができる。
【００６８】
一方、図１９ないし図２１に示すように、例えば、図示しない光ディスクドライブ側のシャッタ開閉機構の開閉ピン７０がケース１２の前端面に沿って移動しシャッタ２２の段部５１に係合することにより、シャッタ２２が閉塞位置からいずれかの開放位置に移動されると、シャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４の内、シャッタ開放側に位置した可動ばね受け５４は、ケース１２の係止ばね受け３８と整列した位置からシャッタ開放側のばね収容部３０内に移動する。その際、この可動ばね受け５４は、シャッタ開放側に位置したシャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂとの係合状態を維持したまま、可動端１１ｂをばね収容部３０側に押圧し係止ばね受け３８から離間させる。そして、可動ばね受け５４は、シャッタ２２が開放位置に到達するまでの間、シャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂを固定端１１ａの近傍まで押圧して移動させる。
【００６９】
なお、可動ばね受け５４と固定ばね受け３４とはカートリッジ１０の挿入方向に沿って互いにずれて位置していることから、シャッタ２２を開放位置まで移動させた場合でも互いに干渉することがなく、シャッタを確実にかつ円滑に開放することができる。
【００７０】
一方、シャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４の内、シャッタ開放側と反対側に位置した可動ばね受け５４は、シャッタ２２の移動に伴い、ケース１２の係止ばね受け３８から離間し、ブリッジ部２１の移動溝４４内をシャッタ開放側のばね収容部３０に向かって移動する。
【００７１】
また、この可動ばね受け５４は、係止ばね受け３８から離間することにより、反対側のシャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂからも離間する。そのため、反対側のシャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂは、ケース１２の係止ばね受け３８と係合した状態に維持され、シャッタ開放側と反対側に位置したシャッタばね８は、初期状態に保持される。
【００７２】
従って、シャッタ２２は、開放方向と反対側に位置したシャッタばね８の影響を何等受けることなく、シャッタ開放側のシャッタばねのみの付勢力を受けながら開閉ピン７０により開放位置へ移動される。
【００７３】
シャッタ閉塞時、シャッタ２２に印加されていた開閉ピン７０による押圧力が除去されると、シャッタ２２は、これと係合している開放側のシャッタばね８により閉塞位置に向かって押圧され閉塞位置に移動される。シャッタ２２が閉塞位置まで移動すると、シャッタの可動ばね受け５４はケース１２の係止ばね受け３８と整列して位置する。そして、シャッタ２２を押圧していたシャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂもケース１２の係止ばね受け３８に係合し、以後、シャッタ２２に作用する過度の付勢が規制される。これにより、シャッタ２２は閉塞位置に保持される。
【００７４】
また、シャッタばね８が、図２１に示す収縮状態から図１７に示す初期状態に復帰する際、つまり、シャッタ２２が開放位置から閉塞位置に復帰する際、シャッタばねのアーム９ｂは、初期状態に復帰する直前で、ケース１２の内面側に設けられたガイド面３６ａによって所定位置にガイドされる。そのため、アーム９ｂの可動端１１ｂは、ケース１２の係止ばね受け３８と常に定位置で正確に係合することができる。
【００７５】
従って、シャッタ２２の開閉動作に伴いシャッタばね２２が多少位置ずれした場合でも、シャッタが開放位置から閉塞位置へ復帰する毎に、シャッタばねを所定の初期状態に確実に復帰させることができ、シャッタばねの抜けや引っ掛かりを防止して信頼性の向上を図ることができる。
【００７６】
なお、シャッタ２２が他方の開放位置へ移動する場合、動作方向が上記説明と逆向きになるだけで、各部の動作は同一である。
以上のように構成されたディスクカートリッジ１０によれば、窓部１６の両側に一対のシャッタばね８を設けただけの簡単な構成により、シャッタ２２を両方向に開閉可能であり、かつ、シャッタを中央の閉塞位置へ保持することができる。
【００７７】
また、ディスクカートリッジ１０は、ケース１２と、シャッタ２２と、一対のシャッタばね８と、からなる最小限の部品点数で構成されているとともに、シャッタ２２はケース１２に前端側から差し込むだけでケースに装着でき、同様に、一対のシャッタばねもケースの開口部３２から差し込むだけでケースに装着することができる。従って、組立が容易であり、ディスクカートリッジの自動組立が可能となる。
【００７８】
更に、上記構成のディスクカートリッジ１０によれば、左右一対のシャッタばね８が設けられているにも拘らず、シャッタ２２の開閉動作は、開放方向に応じた一方のシャッタばねのみによって行われる。すなわち、シャッタ２２が一方の開放位置に移動する際、シャッタ開放側に設けられたシャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂは、ケース１２の係止ばね受け３８からシャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４に受け渡されるとともに、他方のシャッタばね８の可動端１１ｂは、シャッタ２２の可動ばね受け５４から離間しケース１２の係止ばね受け３８と係合した状態に保持される。
【００７９】
従って、シャッタ２２は、他方のシャッタばね８の影響を受けることなく、開放側のシャッタばね８のみと係合した状態で開閉される。その結果、シャッタ２２の開閉ストロークを充分に大きく取ることができ、例えば、直径１２０ｍｍ程度の大径の光ディスクを収納したディスクカートリッジにも対応することが可能となる。
【００８０】
更に、上記構成のディスクカートリッジ１０によれば、ケース１０の前端部において、シャッタばね８を挿入するめの開口部３２がブリッジ部２１の両側に形成されているにも拘らず、シャッタ２２の移動を確実にガイドすることができる。
【００８１】
すなわち、シャッタ２２に設けられたガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、ブリッジ部２１上を移動する際、内側の突部５６ａをガイド溝４０の第１の部分４０ａに係合させることによりシャッタ２２の移動をガイドし、各開口部３２内を移動する際、外側の突部５６ｂをケース１２内面に形成されたガイド溝４０の第２の部分４０ｂに係合させることによりシャッタ２２の移動をガイドする。従って、いずれの移動位置においても、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂによってシャッタ２２の移動を確実にガイドすることが可能となる。
【００８２】
なお、本発明は上述した実施例に限られるものではなく、この発明の範囲内で種々変形可能である。例えば、上記実施の形態において、シャッタ２２は、ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂを２対備えた構成としたが、これらのガイド突起が一対のみ設けられている構成でも上記実施の形態と同様の作用効果を得ることができる。この場合、各ガイド突起５２ａ、５２ｂは、シャッタ２２の連結板２２ｂの中央部に設けられ、かつ、シャッタ２２の移動方向に沿った幅も充分に大きく設定される。
【００８３】
また、本発明において、情報記録媒体としては、両面に記録再生面を有する光ディスクに限定されることなく、片面のみに記録再生面を有する光ディスクを用いてもよい。
【００８４】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、この発明によれば、一対のシャッタばねを設けただけの簡単な構成により、シャッタを両方向に開閉可能であり、かつ、シャッタを閉塞位置へ確実に保持することのできるとともに、自動組立が可能なディスクカートリッジを提供することができる。
【００８５】
更に、この発明によれば、シャッタの開放方向に応じて、一方のシャッタばねのみを用いてシャッタを付勢する構成としたことから、シャッタの開閉ストロークを大きく設定可能な簡単な構成のディスクカートリッジを提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】シャッタが閉じた状態における、この発明の実施の形態に係るディスクカートリッジの斜視図。
【図２】上記ディスクカートリッジの分解斜視図。
【図３】シャッタが開いた状態における上記ディスクカートリッジの斜視図。
【図４】上記ディスクカートリッジのハーフケースの前端部を拡大して示す平面図および固定ばね受けの拡大図。
【図５】上記ディスクカートリッジのケースのブリッジ部を示す分解斜視図。
【図６】上記ケースの正面図。
【図７】上記ケースのブリッジ部を示す斜視図。
【図８】上記ディスクカートリッジのシャッタの内面側を示す斜視図。
【図９】図８の線Ｂ−Ｂに沿った断面図。
【図１０】上記シャッタが閉じた状態における上記ディスクカートリッジの前端部分を示す平面図。
【図１１】上記シャッタが閉塞位置に移動した状態における、上記ケースの係止ばね受けと上記シャッタの可動ばね受けとの位置関係を示す斜視図。
【図１２】図１０の線Ｆ−Ｆに沿った断面図。
【図１３】上記シャッタが開放位置に移動した状態における上記ディスクカートリッジの前端部分を示す平面図。
【図１４】上記シャッタが閉塞位置から開放位置に移動する際の、上記シャッタのガイド突起とケースのガイド溝との係合状態を示す斜視図。
【図１５】図１３の線Ｈ−Ｈに沿った断面図。
【図１６】上記シャッタが閉塞位置にある上記ディスクカートリッジの正面図。
【図１７】上記シャッタが閉塞位置にある状態における、上記ハーフケース前端部および一対のシャッタばねを示す平面図。
【図１８】上記シャッタが閉塞位置に移動した状態における、上記ケースの係止ばね受けと上記シャッタの可動ばね受けとの位置関係、およびこれらばね受けとシャッタばねとの係合関係を示す斜視図。
【図１９】上記シャッタが閉塞位置から開放位置に移動する際の、上記ケースの係止ばね受けと上記シャッタの可動ばね受けとの位置関係、およびこれらばね受けとシャッタばねとの係合関係を示す斜視図。
【図２０】上記シャッタが開放位置にある上記ディスクカートリッジの正面図。
【図２１】上記シャッタが開放位置に移動した状態における、上記ハーフケース前端部および一対のシャッタばねを示す平面図。
【符号の説明】
８…シャッタばね
８ａ…コイル部
９ａ、９ｂ…アーム
１０…ディスクカートリッジ
１１ａ…固定端
１１ｂ…可動端
１２…ケース
１２ａ…前端面
１３…ハーフケース
１４…光ディスク
１６…窓部
２１…ブリッジ部
２２…シャッタ
３０…ばね収容部
３２…開口部
３４…固定ばね受け
３８…係止ばね受け
４０…ガイド溝
４０ａ…第１の部分
４０ｂ…第２の部分
４４…移動溝
５２ａ、５２ｂ…ガイド突起
５４…可動ばね受け
５６ａ、５６ｂ…突部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disk cartridge containing an optical disk as a recording medium, and more particularly to a disk cartridge provided with a shutter that can be opened and closed in both directions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a magneto-optical (MO) recording type 90 mm optical disk has been widely used as a large-capacity recording medium replacing a floppy disk. Also, as the same 90 mm rewritable optical disc, a phase change type (PC) type optical disc that can be used on both sides and can be further increased in capacity, and an optical disc drive including the same have been developed.
[0003]
In order to take advantage of the characteristics of PC type optical discs, the basic part including vertical and horizontal dimensions is the same as that of 90 mm MO type discs, but the thickness type and shutter opening / closing mechanism are unique. A special cartridge is prepared.
[0004]
Usually, a disk cartridge includes a flat rectangular case containing an optical disk, and a window for exposing a part of the optical disk and a hub is formed on both sides of the case. Further, this case is provided with a slidable shutter for opening and closing the window.
[0005]
In recent years, this type of disk cartridge has a shutter that can be opened and closed on both the left and right sides of the window, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 63-119081 and 63-94487. A so-called double-open type disk cartridge has been proposed.
[0006]
This double-opening type disc cartridge has a pair of shutter springs provided on both sides of the shutter, and the shutter is held in a closed position where the window portion is closed by these springs. Each shutter spring has one end fixed to the case and the other end fixed to the shutter. The shutter is formed with two openings at a predetermined interval. Then, by sliding the shutter in either direction against the urging force of the shutter spring, one opening of the shutter opposes the window portion of the case, and the window portion is opened.
[0007]
Further, as another type of double-open disc cartridge, a guide shaft provided over the entire length in the width direction of the case, a pair of sliders slidably attached to the guide shaft, and a tension connecting these sliders to each other. There is provided a spring provided with a spring and a protrusion provided on the inner wall of the case so as to restrict sliding of each slider.
[0008]
According to this disk cartridge, when the shutter is opened to one side, one slider moves on the guide shaft together with the shutter, and the other slider is restricted from moving in one direction by the protrusion. As a result, the shutter moves to the open position in a state of receiving the biasing force of the tension spring, and when the opening force applied to the shutter is released, the shutter of the case is closed by the biasing force of the tension spring. Return to position.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the disk cartridge having the pair of shutter springs described above, it is difficult to accurately hold the shutter in the closed position due to variations in the biasing force of the shutter springs. In addition, since both shutter springs expand and contract during the shutter opening operation, the moving stroke of the shutter cannot be increased.
[0010]
In addition, the type of disc cartridge equipped with a guide shaft, slider, etc. has a large number of parts and a high manufacturing cost, and the structure is complicated and the assembly is relatively difficult. Is not suitable.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a disc cartridge that has a simple structure and can be automatically assembled and that can reliably hold the shutter in the closed position. .
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a disc cartridge according to an aspect of the present invention accommodates a disc-shaped recording medium, and has a window portion in which a part of the recording medium is exposed, and a window portion in which the window portion is formed. A flat rectangular case having two parallel main surfaces, a front end surface, and two side surfaces parallel to each other; a closed position for closing the window; and a window located on both sides of the window. A shutter attached to the case movably to the open position, and disposed on both sides of the shutter in the case, and urges the shutter toward the closed position, respectively. A pair of shutter springs held in position and guide means for guiding the movement of the shutter are provided.
[0013]
The case is formed on both sides of the window portion, and each has a spring accommodating portion that accommodates the shutter spring. The case is open to the front end surface of the case and can be inserted into the shutter accommodating portion. Two opening portions and a bridge portion located between the opening portions and facing the window portion, and the shutter springs are respectively fixed ends fixed to the case, and the shutter is in the closed position. And a movable end that detachably engages with the case and the shutter, and the shutter is provided on the one open position side when moved from the closed position toward the one open position. The movable end of the shutter spring is pressed toward the fixed end to be separated from the case, and is separated from the movable end of the shutter spring provided on the other open position side.
[0014]
The guide means includes a first portion formed in the bridge portion, and a pair of second portions formed on the inner surface of the case in each spring accommodating portion and linearly aligned with the first portion. A guide groove extending along the front end surface and a guide protrusion provided on the shutter and moving on the bridge portion and in each spring accommodating portion in accordance with the movement of the shutter. The protrusion includes a first protrusion that engages with the first portion when moving on the bridge portion, and a second protrusion that engages with the second portion when moving inside the spring accommodating portion. And a portion .
[0018]
According to the disk cartridge having the above configuration, after assembling, after the shutter is mounted on the case, each shutter spring is inserted into the spring accommodating portion through the opening of the case, so that the pair of shutter springs can be mounted at predetermined positions. it can.
[0019]
In the state where the shutter is moved to the closed position, the shutter is urged by the pair of shutter springs and is held at the closed position. At this time, the movable end of each shutter spring engages with the shutter and also with the case to restrict the biasing force, thereby preventing the shutter from being excessively biased.
[0020]
When the shutter is opened, the movable end of the shutter spring provided on the opening side is pushed away from the case by the shutter, and is displaced toward the fixed end while being engaged with the shutter. On the other hand, the movable end of the other shutter spring is held in a state of being engaged with the case and separated from the shutter. Thus, the shutter can move to the open position in a state where the urging force of only one shutter spring is received.
[0026]
In the opening / closing operation of the shutter, the guide protrusion provided on the shutter guides the movement of the shutter by engaging the first protrusion with the first portion of the guide groove when moving on the bridge portion. When moving in the spring accommodating portion, the movement of the shutter is guided by engaging the second protrusion with the second portion of the guide groove formed on the inner surface of the case. Therefore, at any movement position, the movement of the shutter can be reliably guided by the guide protrusion.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a disk cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration will be schematically described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the disc cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment accommodates, for example, an optical disc 14 having recording and reproducing surfaces on both sides as an information recording medium. The flat rectangular case 12 is provided. The case 12 is formed by joining a pair of half cases 13.
[0028]
Window portions 16 for accessing the optical disk 14 are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the case 12, that is, the two main surfaces, and face each other. Each window portion 16 extends from approximately the center of the case 12 to the vicinity of the front end surface 12a of the case 12 in the insertion direction A of the disk cartridge 10.
[0029]
A hub 18 having a center hole 21 is attached to the center of the optical disk 14 accommodated in the case 12. A part of both surfaces of the hub 18 and the optical disk 14 is exposed through the window portion 16.
[0030]
The case 12 is slidably provided with a double-sided integrated shutter 22 that opens and closes the window 16. The shutter 22 is formed in a U-shaped cross section and is attached so as to sandwich the both surface sides of the case 12 from the front end surface 12 a side of the case 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the shutter 22 is located on both sides of the closed position as shown in the closed position for closing the window 16 and the solid line and the two-dot chain line in FIG. It is possible to slide between the two open positions along the direction parallel to the front end surface 12a of the case 12. As will be described later, the shutter 22 is constantly urged toward the closed position by two shutter springs 8 a and 8 b disposed on both sides of the window portion 16 in the case 12.
[0031]
Next, the configuration of each part of the disk cartridge 10 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of half cases 13 of the case 12 have the same shape and structure except for a part thereof, and are joined with their inner surfaces facing each other with the front and back sides reversed. Each half case 13 has an access window 16. Moreover, the area | region where the shutter 22 slides in the surface of the half case 13 is formed as the shallow rectangular recess 15, and the window part 16 is also formed in this recess. The half case 13 has a protrusion 17 for preventing the protrusion from projecting from the center of the rear end of the recess 15 to the vicinity of the window 16, and the protrusion 17 is a free part of the shutter 22 as will be described later. Engage with the end to hold the shutter in the recess 15.
[0032]
A bridge portion 21 extending across the window portion 16 is formed at the center of the front end of each half case 13 and faces the front end of the window portion. A pair of fitting holes 23 are formed in the inner surface of the bridge portion 21 of one half case 13, and a pair of projections (not shown) that fit into the fitting holes 23 are provided in the bridge portion 21 of the other half case 13. It has been. The pair of half cases 13 have substantially the same configuration except that one is provided with a fitting hole 23 and the other is provided with a protrusion.
[0033]
At both corners on the rear end side of each half case 13, a mounting hole 20 into which an unillustrated write protection switching operation piece is slidably fitted, and when loading a disc cartridge into an unillustrated optical disc drive, the optical disc drive side A pair of reference positionings 24 for positioning the optical disc cartridge with respect to the optical disc drive and a detection hole for detecting the loading of the disc cartridge into the optical disc drive (not shown) by inserting the convex portion provided in the optical disc drive 26 are formed.
[0034]
As can be clearly understood from FIGS. 2 and 4, ribs 13 a having a predetermined height are formed on the inner surface of the half case 13 over substantially the entire circumference except for the front end portion of the outer edge of the half case. It constitutes the wall and the rear wall. An annular rib 13b for forming a space for accommodating the optical disk 14 is formed on the inner surface of the half case 13 in a body.
[0035]
A pair of spring accommodating portions 30 for accommodating the shutter springs 8 are formed on both sides of the front end portion of the window portion 16 by the ribs 13a and 13b and the bridge portion 21, respectively. Each spring accommodating portion 30 has an opening portion 32 opened to the front end surface 12 a of the case 12, and these opening portions 32 are located on both sides of the bridge portion 21.
[0036]
A fixed spring receiver 34 projects from the inner surface of one side wall of the half case 13 and is located in the spring housing 30 near the opening 32. The fixed spring receiver 34 is formed in a hook shape, and has an inclined surface 34 a that is inclined from the side wall inner surface side of the half case 13 toward the spring accommodating portion 30 side and rearward.
[0037]
Further, a protrusion 36 is provided in the vicinity of the bridge portion 21 in the other spring accommodating portion 30, and the upper surface of this protrusion, that is, the surface on the side facing each other when the pair of half cases 13 are joined. Is formed with a guide surface 36 a inclined toward the opening 32 side and toward the inner surface side of the half case 13. As will be described later, the guide surface 36a guides the arm of the shutter spring to a predetermined position when the shutter spring 8 returns from the deformed position to the initial position, that is, the position when the shutter 22 is in the closed position.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, a pair of left and right locking spring receivers 38 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge portion 21. Each locking spring receiver 38 is formed by a recess opened toward the opposing spring accommodating portion 30 and has an inclined surface 38 a that is inclined toward the spring accommodating portion 30 side and toward the rear of the half case 13. doing. Further, the locking spring receiver 38 and the fixed spring receiver 34 opposed to the locking spring receiver 38 and the fixed spring receiver 34 opposite to each other can be prevented from interfering with each other when the shutter 22 is moved to the open position. That is, it is formed slightly shifted in the insertion direction A.
[0039]
Further, the half case 13 is formed with a guide groove 40 extending along the front end face 12a, and is located in the vicinity of the front end face. The guide groove 40 is provided to guide the sliding of the shutter 22, and is formed on the first portion 40 a formed on the outer surface of the bridge portion 21 and the inner surface of the half case 13. 30 and a pair of second portions 40b located in the interior.
[0040]
The first portion 40 a extends over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the bridge portion 21, and both ends thereof communicate with the corresponding spring accommodating portions 30. Each of the second portions 40b is linearly aligned with the first portion 40a, extends from the side wall of the half case 13 to the bridge portion 21, and communicates with the end of the first portion 40a. doing.
[0041]
Note that the bridge portion 21 has an outer surface positioned at a level lower than the outer surface of the other portion of the half case 12, and the guide groove 40 is provided at the boundary portion between the both ends of the bridge portion 21 and the spring accommodating portion 30. An extending slit 42 is formed. The end portions of the first and second portions 40a and 40b of the guide groove 40 are opposed to each other upside down via the slit 42.
[0042]
A moving groove 44 that extends along the front end surface 12 a of the half case 13 and opens to the front end surface is formed on the inner surface of the front end of the bridge portion 21. A pair of mounting guide grooves 46 extending from the front end of the bridge portion 21 to the vicinity of the first portion 40 a of the guide groove 40 are formed on the outer surface of the bridge portion 21. Each mounting guide groove 46 is formed to be inclined from the guide groove 40 a side toward the distal end side of the bridge portion 21.
[0043]
The pair of half cases 13 configured as described above are abutted and joined to each other with their inner surfaces facing each other. At the same time, the projection formed on the other bridge portion is elastically fitted into the fitting hole 23 formed on one bridge portion 21, and the joined state of the half cases 13 is maintained.
[0044]
In a state where the half cases 13 are joined, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, spring accommodating portions 30 are formed on both sides of the bridge portion 21. Fixed spring receivers 34 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the case 12 and project into the corresponding spring accommodating portions 30. In each spring accommodating portion 30, an inclined guide surface 36a for guiding the arm of the shutter spring is provided in the vicinity of the bridge portion 21.
[0045]
The locking spring receivers 38 respectively formed on the two bridge portions 21 are positioned in alignment with each other at each end portion of the bridge portion and face the corresponding spring accommodating portions 30. In addition, each end of the moving groove 44 formed in the bridge portion 21 extends between the two locking spring receivers 38 facing each other and communicates with the spring accommodating portion 30. Furthermore, the mounting guide groove 46 formed in the bridge portion 21 is disposed to face the mounting guide groove 46 formed in the other bridge portion.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the shutter 22 has a pair of shielding plates 22 a formed in an elongated rectangular shape having a size capable of closing the window portion 16 of the case 12, and these shielding plates connected to each other. A connecting plate 22b. The shielding plate 22a faces each other in parallel at a predetermined interval, and the connecting plate 22b extends perpendicular to the shielding plate and connects one end of the shielding plate.
[0047]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, the connecting plate 22 b of the shutter 22 has a protrusion 50 at the center in the width direction, and a step 51 is formed by the protrusion. An opening / closing pin 70 (see FIG. 21) of a shutter opening / closing mechanism (not shown) on the optical disk drive side for sliding the shutter 22 is engaged with these step portions 51.
[0048]
Further, the shutter 22 includes guide protrusions 52a and 52b provided in a pair of left and right, and a pair of movable spring receivers 54. That is, a pair of guide protrusions 52a and 52b and one movable spring receiver 54 are provided on the inner surface of one end in the width direction of the connecting plate 22b, and another pair of guide protrusions are provided on the inner surface of the other end in the width direction of the connecting plate 22b. 52a, 52b and the other movable spring receiver 54 are provided.
[0049]
The guide protrusions 52a and 52b are formed in a plate shape, protrude in parallel with the shielding plate 22a from the inner surface of the connecting plate 22b, and face each other with a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the bridge portion 21 of the case 12. . The guide protrusion 52a has a protrusion 56a (first protrusion) protruding perpendicularly from the extended end toward the guide protrusion 52b, and a protrusion 56b (second protrusion) protruding perpendicularly from the extended end toward the shielding plate 22b. The protrusions extend in the direction parallel to the connecting plate 22b, that is, in the sliding direction of the shutter 22. Thereby, the guide protrusion 52a is formed in a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional shape as a whole.
[0050]
Similarly, the guide protrusion 52b includes a protrusion 56a (first protrusion) that protrudes at a right angle from the extension end toward the guide protrusion 52a, and a protrusion 56b that protrudes at a right angle from the extension end toward the shielding plate 22b. (Second protrusions) and these protrusions extend in a direction parallel to the connecting plate 22b, that is, in the sliding direction of the shutter 22. Thereby, the guide protrusion 52b is formed in a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional shape as a whole.
[0051]
Each movable spring receiver 54 is also formed in a plate shape, protrudes in parallel with the shielding plate 22a from the inner surface of the connecting plate 22b, and is positioned between the guide protrusions 52a and 52b. Each movable spring receiver 54 has a recess 54 a formed with a plate-like protrusion, and this recess is formed in the same size and shape as the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12 described above.
[0052]
The shutter 22 having the above configuration is integrally formed of resin. The thickness d1 of the connecting plate 22b is set to about twice the thickness d2 of each shielding plate 22a. Further, in order to improve the strength of the connecting plate 22b, two ribs 58 extending in the longitudinal direction of the connecting plate 22b are integrally formed inside the protruding portion 50. Further, in order to improve the strength and positional accuracy of the guide protrusions 52a and 52b and the movable spring receiver 54, a buildup 59 is formed on these base end portions.
[0053]
Further, a recess 60 is formed on the inner surface of the protruding portion 50 of the connecting plate 22b. The recess 60 faces the gate position G when the shutter 22 is injection-molded, and acts to make the resin flow uniform during the injection molding.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 2, the shutter 22 configured as described above is attached to the case 12 by pushing the free end of the shielding plate 22 a in the direction of arrow E from the front end surface 12 a side of the case 12. At this time, the guide protrusions 52 a and 52 b of the shutter 22 are pushed in while being aligned with the mounting guide groove 46 formed in the bridge portion 21. Thereby, each pair of guide protrusions 52a and 52b moves along the mounting guide groove 46 in a state where the bridge portion 21 is sandwiched from above and below.
[0055]
By further pushing the shutter 22 in the direction of arrow E, the guide protrusions 52a and 52b engage with the first portion 40a of the guide groove 40 formed on the bridge portion 21 at the inner protrusion 56a, and the connecting plate 22b. Is adjacent to the front end surface 12 a of the case 12. A pair of movable spring receivers 54 protruding from the inner surface of the connecting plate 22b is slidably inserted into a moving groove 44 formed on the front end surface of the bridge portion 21.
[0056]
Further, the shielding plate 22a moves on each upper surface of the case 12, and its free end is inserted between the bottom surface of the recess 15 formed on each surface of the case 12 and the protrusion 17 for retaining. Retained. With the above operation, the shutter 22 is attached to the case 12.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the shutter 22 is in the closing position, the two window portions 16 of the case 12 are respectively closed by the shutter shielding plate 22a. The width of each shielding plate 22 a is formed slightly larger than the width of the window portion 16, and both side edges of the shielding plate overlap the upper surface wall of the case 12.
[0058]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the closed position of the shutter 22, the recesses 54 a of the pair of movable spring receivers 54 are engaged with locking spring receivers 38 provided at both ends of the bridge portion 21 of the case 12. They are aligned and positioned. Further, the movable spring receiver 54 and the locking spring receiver 38 aligned with each other are provided so as to be located in an overlap region 60 between the shutter 22 and the upper surface wall of the case 12.
[0059]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, at the closed position of the shutter 22, the shutter guide protrusions 52 a and 52 b sandwich the bridge portion 21 of the case 12 from both sides. Further, the protrusions 56a inside the guide protrusions 52a and 52b are slidably engaged with the first portion 40a of the guide groove 40, respectively. That is, the guide protrusions 52a and 52b guide the movement of the shutter 22 by the protrusion 56a on the inner side sliding in the first portion 40a while moving on the bridge portion 21.
[0060]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the shutter 22 is moved from the closed position to one open position, both the shielding plates 22a of the shutter are detached from the window portions 16 to open the window portions. At this time, the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter 22 moves out of the moving groove 44 of the bridge portion 21 and moves into the spring accommodating portion 30 on the open side.
[0061]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the guide protrusions 52a and 52b of the shutter 22 are opened on the open side through the slits 42 after the protrusion 56a slides in the first portion 40a of the guide groove 40, respectively. Move into the spring housing 30. At this time, the protrusions 56a of the guide protrusions 52a and 52b are disengaged from the first portion 40a, and the outer protrusions 56b are engaged with the second portion 40b of the guide groove 40 instead. Thereafter, the protrusions 56b of the guide protrusions 52a and 52b move in the second portion 40b until the shutter 22 reaches the open position.
[0062]
That is, while the guide protrusions 52a and 52b move in the spring accommodating portion 30, the outer protrusion 56b slides in the first portion 40b provided in the spring accommodating portion, thereby moving the shutter 22. To guide.
[0063]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16 to 18, the pair of shutter springs 8 housed in the spring housing portions 30 formed on both sides of the window portion 16 of the case 12 are symmetrical with respect to those having the same structure. Arranged and used. That is, each shutter spring 8 has a coil portion 8a and two arms 9a and 9b extending in opposite directions from both ends of the coil portion. The distal end of one arm 9a is bent at a right angle toward the coil 8a to form a fixed end 11a. The tip of the other arm 9b is bent at a right angle toward the coil portion 8a to form a movable end 11b.
[0064]
The shutter spring 8 configured as described above is mounted in the spring accommodating portion 30 from the opening portion 32 opened in the front end surface 12a of the case 12 with the shutter 22 held in the closed position. That is, first, the shutter 22 is moved to the closing position, and the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter 22 and the locking spring receiver 38 formed on the bridge portion 21 are aligned with each other. In this state, the pair of arms 9a, 9b of each shutter spring 8 is somewhat elastically deformed in a direction approaching each other, and then inserted into the spring accommodating portion 30 from the coil portion 8 side through the opening 32.
[0065]
Subsequently, the fixed end 11a of the shutter spring is brought into contact with the guide surface 34a of the fixed spring receiver 34 formed on the case 12, and the movable end 11b is aligned with each other and the guide surface 38a of the locking spring receiver 38 is aligned. Abut. In this state, when the pressing force applied to the arms 9a and 9b is released, the arms 9a and 9b move in directions away from each other by their own elasticity. At this time, the fixed end 11a and the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 move along the guide surfaces 34a and 38a, respectively, the fixed end 11a engages with the fixed spring receiver 34, and the movable end 11b engages with the bridge portion 21. It engages with the stop spring receiver 38 and the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter 22.
[0066]
With the above operation, the mounting of the pair of shutter springs 8 is completed. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, in a state where the shutter 22 is in the closed position, each movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter is in alignment with a corresponding latch spring receiver 38 of the case 12. The movable end 11 b is also engaged with the movable spring receiver 54 and the locking spring receiver 38. Thus, the shutter 22 is urged from both sides by the two shutter springs 8 and is held in the closed position.
[0067]
In this case, since the movable end 11 b of each shutter spring 8 is engaged with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12 in addition to the movable spring receiver 54, an excessive biasing force is applied from the shutter spring 8 to the shutter 22. The shutter 22 is held in the closed position by the pre-pressure of the shutter spring 8. Therefore, even when the urging forces of the two shutter springs 8 vary due to manufacturing variations or the like, the shutter 22 can be accurately held at the closed position by the shutter springs 8.
[0068]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, for example, the opening / closing pin 70 of the shutter opening / closing mechanism on the optical disk drive side (not shown) moves along the front end surface of the case 12 and engages with the step portion 51 of the shutter 22. When the shutter 22 is moved from the closed position to any open position, the movable spring receiver 54 located on the shutter opening side of the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter 22 is aligned with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12. It moves into the spring accommodating part 30 by the side of shutter opening from the position which was made. At this time, the movable spring receiver 54 presses the movable end 11b toward the spring accommodating portion 30 while maintaining the engaged state with the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 located on the shutter opening side. Separate from. The movable spring receiver 54 presses and moves the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 to the vicinity of the fixed end 11a until the shutter 22 reaches the open position.
[0069]
Since the movable spring receiver 54 and the fixed spring receiver 34 are displaced from each other along the direction in which the cartridge 10 is inserted, they do not interfere with each other even when the shutter 22 is moved to the open position. Can be opened reliably and smoothly.
[0070]
On the other hand, among the movable spring receivers 54 of the shutter 22, the movable spring receiver 54 located on the opposite side of the shutter opening side is separated from the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12 as the shutter 22 moves, and the bridge portion 21. It moves in the moving groove 44 toward the spring accommodating portion 30 on the shutter opening side.
[0071]
The movable spring receiver 54 is also separated from the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 on the opposite side by being separated from the locking spring receiver 38. Therefore, the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 on the opposite side is maintained in an engaged state with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12, and the shutter spring 8 located on the opposite side to the shutter opening side is maintained in the initial state. The
[0072]
Accordingly, the shutter 22 is moved to the open position by the open / close pin 70 while receiving the urging force of only the shutter spring on the shutter opening side without being affected by the shutter spring 8 positioned on the opposite side to the opening direction.
[0073]
When the pressing force by the opening / closing pin 70 applied to the shutter 22 is removed when the shutter is closed, the shutter 22 is pressed toward the closing position by the open-side shutter spring 8 engaged therewith. Moved to. When the shutter 22 moves to the closing position, the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter is positioned in alignment with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12. Then, the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 that has pressed the shutter 22 is also engaged with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12, and thereafter, excessive biasing acting on the shutter 22 is restricted. Thereby, the shutter 22 is held at the closed position.
[0074]
When the shutter spring 8 returns from the contracted state shown in FIG. 21 to the initial state shown in FIG. 17, that is, when the shutter 22 returns from the open position to the closed position, the arm 9b of the shutter spring returns to the initial state. Immediately before returning, the guide surface 36a provided on the inner surface side of the case 12 is guided to a predetermined position. Therefore, the movable end 11b of the arm 9b can always accurately engage with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12 at a fixed position.
[0075]
Accordingly, even when the shutter spring 22 is slightly displaced due to the opening / closing operation of the shutter 22, the shutter spring can be reliably returned to the predetermined initial state every time the shutter returns from the open position to the closed position. Reliability can be improved by preventing the spring from being pulled out and caught.
[0076]
When the shutter 22 moves to the other open position, the operation of each part is the same except that the operation direction is opposite to that described above.
According to the disk cartridge 10 configured as described above, the shutter 22 can be opened and closed in both directions with a simple configuration in which the pair of shutter springs 8 are provided on both sides of the window portion 16, and the shutter is located in the center. Can be held in the closed position.
[0077]
The disc cartridge 10 is configured with a minimum number of parts including a case 12, a shutter 22, and a pair of shutter springs 8. The shutter 22 is inserted into the case 12 from the front end side. Similarly, a pair of shutter springs can also be attached to the case simply by being inserted from the opening 32 of the case. Therefore, assembly is easy and automatic assembly of the disk cartridge is possible.
[0078]
Further, according to the disk cartridge 10 having the above-described configuration, the shutter 22 is opened / closed only by one shutter spring corresponding to the opening direction, although the pair of left and right shutter springs 8 are provided. That is, when the shutter 22 moves to one open position, the movable end 11b of the shutter spring 8 provided on the shutter open side is transferred from the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12 to the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter 22. At the same time, the movable end 11 b of the other shutter spring 8 is held away from the movable spring receiver 54 of the shutter 22 and engaged with the locking spring receiver 38 of the case 12.
[0079]
Therefore, the shutter 22 is opened / closed without being influenced by the other shutter spring 8 and engaged only with the shutter spring 8 on the open side. As a result, the opening / closing stroke of the shutter 22 can be made sufficiently large, and for example, it is possible to deal with a disk cartridge containing a large-diameter optical disk having a diameter of about 120 mm.
[0080]
Furthermore, according to the disk cartridge 10 having the above-described configuration, the shutter 22 can be moved even though the opening portions 32 for inserting the shutter springs 8 are formed on both sides of the bridge portion 21 at the front end portion of the case 10. Can be guided reliably.
[0081]
That is, the guide protrusions 52 a and 52 b provided on the shutter 22 move the shutter 22 by engaging the inner protrusion 56 a with the first portion 40 a of the guide groove 40 when moving on the bridge portion 21. When guiding and moving in each opening 32, the movement of the shutter 22 is guided by engaging the outer protrusion 56b with the second portion 40b of the guide groove 40 formed on the inner surface of the case 12. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably guide the movement of the shutter 22 by the guide protrusions 52a and 52b at any movement position.
[0082]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the shutter 22 is configured to include two pairs of guide protrusions 52a and 52b. However, even in a configuration in which only one pair of these guide protrusions is provided, the same effect as the above-described embodiment is achieved. Can be obtained. In this case, the guide protrusions 52a and 52b are provided at the center of the connecting plate 22b of the shutter 22, and the width along the moving direction of the shutter 22 is also set sufficiently large.
[0083]
In the present invention, the information recording medium is not limited to an optical disc having a recording / reproducing surface on both sides, and an optical disc having a recording / reproducing surface only on one side may be used.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the shutter can be opened and closed in both directions and the shutter can be reliably held at the closed position by a simple configuration having only a pair of shutter springs. In addition, a disk cartridge that can be automatically assembled can be provided.
[0085]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the shutter is urged using only one shutter spring in accordance with the opening direction of the shutter, the disk cartridge having a simple configuration capable of setting a large opening / closing stroke of the shutter. Can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disk cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention with a shutter closed.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the disk cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the disk cartridge in a state where a shutter is open.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a front end portion of a half case of the disc cartridge and an enlarged view of a fixed spring receiver.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a bridge portion of the case of the disk cartridge.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the case.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a bridge portion of the case.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an inner surface side of a shutter of the disk cartridge.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a front end portion of the disc cartridge in a state where the shutter is closed.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a locking spring receiver of the case and a movable spring receiver of the shutter in a state where the shutter is moved to a closing position.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a front end portion of the disc cartridge in a state where the shutter is moved to an open position.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an engagement state between the guide protrusion of the shutter and the guide groove of the case when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position.
15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a front view of the disk cartridge with the shutter in a closed position.
FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the front end of the half case and a pair of shutter springs in a state where the shutter is in a closed position.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the locking spring receiver of the case and the movable spring receiver of the shutter and the engaging relationship between the spring receiver and the shutter spring when the shutter is moved to the closed position. .
FIG. 19 shows the positional relationship between the locking spring receiver of the case and the movable spring receiver of the shutter and the engagement relationship between the spring receiver and the shutter spring when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position. FIG.
FIG. 20 is a front view of the disc cartridge with the shutter in an open position.
FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the half case front end and a pair of shutter springs in a state where the shutter is moved to the open position;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Shutter spring 8a ... Coil part 9a, 9b ... Arm 10 ... Disk cartridge 11a ... Fixed end 11b ... Movable end 12 ... Case 12a ... Front end surface 13 ... Half case 14 ... Optical disk 16 ... Window part 21 ... Bridge part 22 ... Shutter DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Spring accommodating part 32 ... Opening part 34 ... Fixed spring receiver 38 ... Locking spring receiver 40 ... Guide groove 40a ... 1st part 40b ... 2nd part 44 ... Movement groove 52a, 52b ... Guide protrusion 54 ... Movable spring Receiving portions 56a, 56b ... projections

Claims

A disc-shaped recording medium is accommodated, and a window part from which a part of the recording medium is exposed , two parallel main surfaces on which the window part is formed, a front end surface, and two side surfaces parallel to each other A flat rectangular case having
A shutter attached to the case movably to a closed position for closing the window, and two open positions located on both sides of the window to open the window, respectively.
A pair of shutter springs disposed on both sides of the shutter in the case, each biasing the shutter toward the closed position and holding the shutter in the closed position;
Guide means for guiding the movement of the shutter ,
The case is formed on both sides of the window portion, and each has a spring accommodating portion that accommodates the shutter spring. The case is open to the front end surface of the case and can be inserted into the shutter accommodating portion. Two openings, and a bridge located between the openings and facing the window,
Each of the shutter springs has a fixed end fixed to the case, and a movable end that removably engages the case and the shutter when the shutter is in the closed position.
When the shutter moves from the closed position toward one open position, the movable end of the shutter spring provided on the one open position side is pressed toward the fixed end side to be separated from the case, Apart from the movable end of the shutter spring provided on the other open position side,
The guide means is
A first portion formed in the bridge portion; and a pair of second portions formed on an inner surface of the case in each spring accommodating portion and linearly aligned with the first portion. A guide groove extending along the front end surface;
A guide protrusion provided on the shutter and moving on the bridge portion and in each spring accommodating portion according to the movement of the shutter,
The guide protrusion engages with the first portion when moving on the bridge portion, and the second protrusion engages with the second portion when moving inside the spring accommodating portion. And a protruding portion of the disk cartridge.

A disc-shaped recording medium is accommodated, and a window part from which a part of the recording medium is exposed , two parallel main surfaces on which the window part is formed, a front end surface, and two side surfaces parallel to each other A flat rectangular case having
A shutter attached to the case movably to a closed position for closing the window, and two open positions located on both sides of the window to open the window, respectively.
A pair of shutter springs disposed on both sides of the shutter in the case, each biasing the shutter toward the closed position and holding the shutter in the closed position;
Guide means for guiding the movement of the shutter ,
The case is formed on both sides of the window portion, and each has a spring accommodating portion that accommodates the shutter spring. The case is open to the front end surface of the case and can be inserted into the shutter accommodating portion. Two openings, and a bridge located between the openings and facing the window,
Each shutter spring has a fixed end fixed to the case, and a movable end detachably engaged with the case and the shutter when the shutter is in the closed position. When the shutter spring is moved from the closed position toward one open position, the shutter spring located on the one open position side is pushed away from the case by the movable end being pushed toward the fixed end by the shutter. The shutter spring located on the other open position side has its movable end detached from the shutter and kept engaged with the case ,
The guide means is
Having a first portion formed on the bridge portion and a pair of second portions that the first part and linearly aligned with is formed on the inner surface of the case within the respective spring receiving portions A guide groove extending along the front end surface;
A guide protrusion provided on the shutter and moving on the bridge portion and in each spring accommodating portion according to the movement of the shutter,
The guide protrusion engages with the first portion when moving on the bridge portion, and the second protrusion engages with the second portion when moving inside the spring accommodating portion. And a protruding portion of the disk cartridge.

A disc-shaped recording medium is accommodated, and a window part from which a part of the recording medium is exposed , two parallel main surfaces on which the window part is formed, a front end surface, and two side surfaces parallel to each other A flat rectangular case having
A shutter attached to the case movably to a closed position for closing the window, and two open positions located on both sides of the window to open the window, respectively.
A pair of shutter springs disposed on both sides of the shutter in the case, each biasing the shutter toward the closed position and holding the shutter in the closed position;
Guide means for guiding the movement of the shutter ,
The case is formed on both sides of the window portion, and each has a spring accommodating portion that accommodates the shutter spring. The case is open to the front end surface of the case and can be inserted into the shutter accommodating portion. Two opening portions, a bridge portion located between the opening portions and facing the window portion, and a spring receiving portion located adjacent to the window portion and spaced apart from the window portion in each spring accommodating portion A fixed spring receiver positioned,
The shutter has a pair of movable spring receivers positioned in alignment with the locking spring receivers in the closed position,
Each of the shutter springs is formed of a torsion spring and engages with a fixed end engaged with the fixed spring receiver, and when the shutter is in the closed position, the locking spring receiver and a movable spring receiver aligned therewith. When the shutter moves from the closed position toward one open position, the shutter moves toward the fixed end in a state of being engaged with the movable spring receiver and is separated from the locking spring receiver. A movable end that is separated from the movable spring receiver and is held by the locking spring receiver when moved from the closed position toward the other open position;
The guide means is
A first portion formed in the bridge portion; and a pair of second portions formed on an inner surface of the case in each spring accommodating portion and linearly aligned with the first portion. A guide groove extending along the front end surface;
A guide protrusion provided on the shutter and moving on the bridge portion and in each spring accommodating portion according to the movement of the shutter,
The guide protrusion engages with the first portion when moving on the bridge portion, and the second protrusion engages with the second portion when moving inside the spring accommodating portion. And a protruding portion of the disk cartridge.

The shutter includes a pair of shielding plates that can slide on the two main surfaces, and a coupling plate that couples the shielding plates to each other and faces the front end surface of the case,
4. The disk cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein the movable spring receiver of the shutter protrudes from an inner surface of the connecting plate.

The shutter includes a pair of shielding plates that can slide on the two main surfaces, and a coupling plate that couples the shielding plates to each other and faces the front end surface of the case,
The guide protrusion protrudes from the connecting plate substantially parallel to the shielding plate, and the first and second protrusions protrude from the extending end of the guide protrusion in opposite directions. 5. The disc cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the disc cartridge is characterized in that:

A case containing a disk-shaped recording medium and having a window portion exposing a part of the recording medium;
A shutter attached to the case movably to a closed position for closing the window, and two open positions located on both sides of the window to open the window, respectively.
Guide means for guiding the movement of the shutter;
A pair of shutter springs disposed on both sides of the shutter in the case, each biasing the shutter toward the closed position and holding the shutter in the closed position;
The case is formed on both sides of the window portion, and each has a spring accommodating portion that accommodates the shutter spring. The case is open to the front end surface of the case and can be inserted into the shutter accommodating portion. Two openings, and a bridge located between the openings and facing the window,
The guide means is
A first portion formed in the bridge portion; and a pair of second portions formed on an inner surface of the case in each spring accommodating portion and linearly aligned with the first portion. A guide groove extending along the front end surface of the case;
A guide protrusion provided on the shutter and moving on the bridge portion and in each spring accommodating portion according to the movement of the shutter,
The guide protrusion engages with the first portion when moving on the bridge portion, and the second protrusion engages with the second portion when moving inside the spring accommodating portion. And a protruding portion of the disk cartridge.

The case has two main surfaces each having the window portion,
The shutter includes a pair of shielding plates that can slide on the two main surfaces, and a coupling plate that couples the shielding plates to each other and faces the front end surface of the case, Projecting substantially parallel to the shielding plate from the connecting plate, and the first and second projections projecting in opposite directions from the extending end of the guide projection. The disc cartridge according to claim 6 .

A case having a window that exposes a part of both sides of the optical disc, containing an optical disc capable of processing information on both sides,
A shutter attached to the case movably to a closed position for closing the window, and two open positions located on both sides of the window to open the window, respectively.
A pair of shutter springs disposed on both sides of the shutter in the case, each biasing the shutter toward the closed position and holding the shutter in the closed position;
Guide means for guiding the movement of the shutter ,
The case is formed on both sides of the window portion, and each has a spring accommodating portion that accommodates the shutter spring. The case is open to the front end surface of the case and can be inserted into the shutter accommodating portion. Two opening portions, a bridge portion located between the opening portions and facing the window portion, and a spring receiving portion located adjacent to the window portion and spaced apart from the window portion in each spring accommodating portion A fixed spring receiver positioned,
The shutter has a pair of movable spring receivers positioned in alignment with the locking spring receivers in the closed position,
Each of the shutter springs is formed of a torsion spring and engages with a fixed end engaged with the fixed spring receiver, and when the shutter is in the closed position, the locking spring receiver and a movable spring receiver aligned therewith. When the shutter moves from the closed position toward the one open position, the shutter moves toward the fixed end while being engaged with the movable spring receiver and is separated from the locking spring receiver. A movable end that is separated from the movable spring receiver and is held by the locking spring receiver when moving from the closed position toward the other open position;
The guide means is
Having a first portion formed on the bridge portion and a pair of second portions that the first part and linearly aligned with is formed on the inner surface of the case within the respective spring receiving portions A guide groove extending along the front end surface;
A guide protrusion provided on the shutter and moving on the bridge portion and in each spring accommodating portion according to the movement of the shutter,
The guide protrusion engages with the first portion when moving on the bridge portion, and the second protrusion engages with the second portion when moving inside the spring accommodating portion. And a protruding portion of the disk cartridge.