JPH0677367B2 - Disc changer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a disc changer in which a predetermined disc is selected from a plurality of discs and the disc is reproduced in a disc reproducing section.

“Prior Art” Recently, a disc player provided with a disc change mechanism, that is, a disc changer has been put into practical use in an in-vehicle audio device or the like.

This disc changer is composed of a magazine loading section to which a magazine containing a plurality of discs is loaded, a disc playback section to play back the discs, and the like. The disk is searched by, a predetermined disk is loaded from the magazine and carried to the disk reproducing section, and this disk is reproduced.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional disc changer described above, the disc that has been reproduced is unloaded from the disc reproducing section and returned to a predetermined position in the magazine. However, during this unloading, the disc may hit the edge of the magazine or the like and may not enter. In this case, the unloading operation is repeated a number of times to damage the disc, or the disc is sandwiched between the magazine and the disc reproducing section, which makes it uncontrollable.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a disc changer capable of accurately returning a disc to a predetermined position in a magazine at the time of unloading.

"Means for Solving the Problem" The present invention relates to a magazine in which a plurality of insertion openings (4) are provided at predetermined intervals along a predetermined direction, and a disc (1) is stored in each of the insertion openings (4). From (2), load the disc (1) stored in the specified insertion slot (4),
A disc changer for unloading the disc (1) into the predetermined insertion slot (4) after the disc is reproduced by a disc reproducing section (8), and detecting means (51) for detecting the end of the unloading at the time of the unloading. , 52, 53), and if the detection means (51, 52, 53) does not detect the end of unloading of the disc (1) within a predetermined time after the start of the unloading operation, the disc (1) is A predetermined unloading operation is performed after moving the magazine (2) in a direction for pulling it out, and then moving the magazine (2) for a predetermined distance shorter than the predetermined interval along the predetermined direction so as to approach the predetermined insertion opening (4) again. If the detecting means (51, 52, 53) does not detect the end of the unloading of the disc (1) even after the number of times is reached, the unloading impossible table is displayed. With a, is characterized in that the disc (1) and a said control means for controlling to set the disk reproducing portion (8) (19, 21, 22).

[Operation] According to the present invention, when the operator of the disc changer operates a key for unloading a predetermined disc, the control means (19, 21, 22) causes the disc reproducing section (8) to operate. Played disc (1) magazine (2)
It is controlled so as to be unloaded in the predetermined insertion port (4) of

As a result, in the normal case, the disc (1) is unloaded into the predetermined insertion slot (4), and the detection means (51, 52, 53) is activated by the detection means (51, 52, 53) within a predetermined time after the unloading operation is started. Detects the end of unloading.

On the other hand, when the detection means (51, 52, 53) does not detect the end of the unloading of the disc (1) within a predetermined time after the start of the unloading operation, the control means (19, 21, 22)
After moving the disc (1) in the direction of pulling it out of the magazine (2), it is moved again along the predetermined direction for a predetermined distance shorter than the predetermined interval so as to approach the predetermined insertion slot (4) again, and then unloading. Control to perform the action. If the detecting means (51, 52, 53) does not detect the end of unloading of the disc (1) even if this operation is performed a predetermined number of times, the control means (19, 21, 22) causes the unloading. In addition to displaying the impossible, the disc (1) is controlled to be set in the disc reproducing section (8).

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a block diagram and a perspective view showing the structure of a disc changer and a magazine used in the disc changer according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively. In these figures, 1 ₁ to ₁₆ are compact discs (CDs), 2 are magazines in which CDs _{1 1} to ₁₆ are stored, 3 are partition plates mounted in the magazine 2 at regular intervals, and 4 are partition plates 3. Insertion port formed to a certain width by
5 is a bottom plate of the disc changer body, 6 is a magazine table which is fixed to the bottom plate 5 and to which the magazine 2 is attached,
6a and 6b are guide pieces bent and formed on both left and right edges of the magazine table 6, and when the magazine 2 is mounted, the guide pieces 6a and 6b on both edges of the magazine table 6 allow both side portions of the lower end of the magazine 2 to move. Be guided.

Further, 7 is a magazine eject mechanism provided below the magazine table 6 for ejecting the magazine 2, and 8 is a CD _{1 1}
It is a disc reproducing section in which any one of CDs 1 to ₁₆ is set and reproduced. In the disc reproducing section 8, 9
Is a turntable on which the CD is set, 10 is a clamper that clamps the CD, 11 is a spindle motor that drives the CD to rotate, and 12 is digital information recorded by pits on the signal recording surface of the CD using a laser beam. An optical pickup, 13 is a feed motor for moving the optical pickup 9, and 14 is a focus error signal and a tracking error signal generated from the read signal output from the optical pickup 12, and outputs the amplified read signal. It is an RF amplifier that does.

Further, 15 is a data processor that performs processing such as demodulation of the signal output from the RF amplifier 14, correction and correction of code errors, and 16 is DA conversion that converts the digital signal output from the data processor 15 into an analog audio signal. vessel,
Reference numeral 17 denotes an audio circuit that performs processing such as amplification and sound quality control on the audio signal, and an output signal of the audio circuit 17 is output to an external speaker or the like via an audio output terminal 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes a system control, which comprises a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM in which a program used in this CPU is stored, a RAM for data storage, and an I / O (input / output) port. 20 is a focus adjustment control (focus servo) and a tracking adjustment control (tracking servo) of the optical pickup 12 using the focus error signal and the tracking error signal output from the RF amplifier 14 under the control of the system controller 19. Feed motor 13 feed adjustment control (feed servo) and spindle motor 11
This is a servo processor that performs constant linear velocity control (spindle servo).

Further, 21 is _{one of the} CDs _{1 1} to ₁₆ from the magazine 2
A disc transfer mechanism for loading one CD and setting it on the disc reproducing unit 8, 22 is an automatic change mechanism drive unit for driving the magazine eject mechanism 7 and the disc transfer mechanism 21 under the control of the system controller 19, and 23 is an operator An operation panel for operating the disc changer to perform various functions, and a display unit 24 for displaying the operating state of the disc changer and error messages.

The structure of the disk transfer mechanism 21 is shown in FIG. In this figure, 25 is a support plate provided on the disk transfer mechanism 21, 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ are guide pins provided on the support plate 8,
Reference numeral 27 denotes a disc ejecting member supported by the guide pins 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ and linearly moving in the ef direction in the figure to eject and mount any one of the CDs stored in the magazine 2. .

Further, 28 is a drive device for driving the disc ejection member 27,
Reference numeral 29 denotes an upper roller that is driven by a driving device 28 and draws a corresponding CD from any one insertion slot 4 of the magazine 2. Both ends of the roller 29 are supported by a swing lever 30. The swing lever 30 is swingably supported with the pin 30a as a fulcrum. Further, 31 is a lower roller rotatably supported, 32 is a spring for urging the rocking lever 30 downward, and this urging force sets a disc clamping pressure between the roller 29 and the roller 31. Has been done. Further, at the end of the roller 29, a protrusion 29a protruding from the swing lever 30 is provided. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate 5 is provided with a roller restricting piece 33, and when the disk transfer mechanism 21 descends to the disk reproducing portion 8, the roller restricting piece 33 has a protruding portion 29a of the roller 29. A disk transfer mechanism that lowers by swinging the swing lever 30
The roller 29 relatively escapes upward with respect to 21, and the disc holding force by the pair of rollers 29 and 31 is released.

In addition, in FIG. 3, 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ are guide holes and 35 _{1 to} 3 3.
5 ₃ is a female screw hole adjacent to the guide holes 34 _{1 to} 34 ₃ .

Further, in FIG. 2, reference numerals 36 _{1 to} 36 ₃ denote disk transfer mechanisms 21.
Is an elevating mechanism that drives the vertical direction. This lifting mechanism 36
_{1-36 3} are both guide shafts 37 _{1-37 3,} and a lifting screw 38 _{1-38 3} and the gear 39 ₁ to 39 ₃ which is fixed to the lifting screw 38 _{1-38 3.} The lifting mechanism 36 _{1-36 3} of the guide shaft 37 _{1-37 3} is inserted into the guide holes 34 ₁ to 34 ₃ provided in the disk transport mechanism 21 respectively, also each of the internal thread hole lifting screw 38 _{1-38 3} 35
It is screwed in _{from 1} to 35 _3.

Furthermore, the gear 39 ₁ to 39 ₃ which are provided to each of these lifting mechanism 36 _{1-36 3} is driven to rotate synchronously, respectively, by vertically driving mechanism 40 provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate 5 of Figure 2 It has become so. FIG. 4 shows the structure of the lifting drive mechanism 40. Incidentally, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the disc changer. In FIG. 4, parts corresponding to the respective parts in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this figure, 41 is a synchronous drive gear, and this synchronous drive gear 41
Is rotatably supported by a shaft 42. Further, the synchronous drive gear 41 is provided with holes 43 ₁ and 43 _{2 which} are hollowed out to a predetermined diameter at two positions on the outer periphery which are symmetrical with respect to 180 degrees. Further, the synchronous drive gear 41 is provided at the passing position of the holes 43 ₁ and 43 _2.
A sensor 44 including a light emitting device and a light receiving device is provided. Then, as the holes 43 ₁ and 43 ₂ pass over the sensor 44, the light emitted from the light emitter is incident on the light receiver, and a pulse corresponding to the diameter of the holes 43 ₁ and 43 ₂ is emitted from the sensor 44. Is output.

Further, the synchronous drive gear 41 meshes with the synchronous gears 46 _{1 to} 46 ₃ rotatably supported by the _three shafts 45 _{1 to} 45 ₃ , and the synchronous gear 46 ₁
~ 46 ₃ mesh with gears 39 ₁ ~ 39 ₃ , respectively. On the other hand, the synchronous drive gear 41 meshes with the pinion 47, and the pinion gear 47 meshes with the worm gear 49 inserted in the shaft of the motor 48.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the disc changer. In this figure, parts corresponding to the parts in FIG. 2 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted. In this figure, 50
Is a CD set on the turntable 9 of the disc reproducing unit 8, and 51 to 53 are sensors which are turned on when the disc 50 passes above and blocks light.

In such a configuration, the sixth operation of the system controller 19 for unloading the CD 50 set in the disc reproducing section 8 of FIG.
A description will be given based on the flowchart in the figure. The operator of this disc changer has a CD installed on the operation panel 23.
When you operate the key etc. to unload the 50,
The system controller 19 first proceeds to the process of step S1, and sets an internal unloading error timer. This timer is used to judge whether the unloading is completed within a predetermined time. Then, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the operation of unloading the CD 50 is performed. That is, the automatic change mechanism drive unit 22
Output the disk unloading command to. Upon receipt of this command, the auto change mechanism drive unit 22 drives the motor 48 of the elevation drive mechanism 40 in the i ₁ direction in the figure. As a result, the worm gear 49 rotates in the i ₁ direction and the pinion gear 47
Rotates in the i ₂ direction. Then, the synchronous drive gear 41 is driven in the i ₃ direction. Further, the synchronous drive gear 41 is the synchronous gear 46 ₁
-46 ₃ each i ₄₁ direction, i ₄₂ direction and i ₄₃ is rotated in the direction gear 39 _{1-39 3} each i ₅₁ direction, i ₅₂ direction and
i Drive in direction ₅₃ . Thus, rotating the second view of the three lifting mechanism 36 _{1-36 3} each lifting screw 38 _{1-38 3} synchronization with each i ₆₁ direction, i ₆₂ direction and i ₆₃ direction, disk transfer mechanism 21 rises, by rollers 31 etc.
CD50 is lifted. During this process, the roller 29 separates from the roller restricting piece 33, and the CD 50 is held by the rollers 29 and 31.

In this case, the half rotation of the synchronous drive gear 41 is equal to the moving distance of the disc transfer mechanism 21 from one insertion port 4 of the magazine 2 to the adjacent insertion port 4. On the other hand, when the synchronous drive gear 41 rotates, the sensor 44 outputs the waveform shown in FIG. The period t _{0 of} this waveform is the synchronous drive gear 41
Half rotation of the magazine, that is, one of the magazines 2 of the disk transfer mechanism 21
It is equal to the moving distance from one insertion port 4 to the adjacent insertion port 4. Therefore, the movement amount of the disk transfer mechanism 21 can be detected by the sensor 44. Due to this detected motion difference, the disc transfer mechanism 21 can be opposed to the predetermined insertion port 4 position of the magazine 2. As a result, the system controller 19 raises the disc transfer mechanism 21 to the predetermined insertion port 4 position of the magazine 2, detects the fall of the output signal of the sensor 44 shown in FIG. 7, and stops the disc transfer mechanism 21. Let Next, the automatic change mechanism drive unit 22 drives the drive mechanism 28 to move the disc ejecting member 27 in the direction e in FIG. As a result, the CD 50 moves to the position a in FIG. 5 and then to the position b, and is mounted in the predetermined insertion slot 4. It should be noted that the sensors 51-
The 53 turns on and off as shown below. First, when the CD 50 is set in the disc playback unit 8, the sensor
51 is on and sensors 52 and 53 are off. Then CD50
Is moved to the position a, all the sensors 51 to 53 are turned on, and when the CD 50 is mounted at the position b, that is, in the predetermined insertion slot 4, all the sensors 51 to 53 are turned off.

Next, the system controller 19 proceeds to step S3, and determines whether or not unloading has been completed. When the result of this determination is "YES", that is, the sensors 51 to 5
When all 3 are turned off, a series of work is finished.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S3 is “NO”, that is, if the CD 50 is not attached to the predetermined insertion slot 4 of the magazine 2 for some reason and all the sensors 51 to 53 are not turned off, Go to S4. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the internal unloading error timer has expired because a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, if the result of this determination is "NO", the flow returns to step S2. On the other hand, step S4
If the result of the determination is “YES”, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, a disc loading operation is performed. That is, the disc loading command is output to the automatic change mechanism drive unit 22. Upon receipt of this command, the auto change mechanism drive unit 22 drives the drive mechanism 28 to move the disc ejecting member 27 in the direction f in FIG. Therefore, the CD 50 moves to a position above the disc reproducing section 8 in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6,
After adding 1 to the internal unloading error counter, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the value of the unloading error counter is 3. Then, if this determination result is "NO", the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the position shifting operation is performed. That is,
The motor 48 of FIG. 4 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above case, that is,
g Drive in the ₁ direction. As a result, the worm gear 49 rotates in the g ₁ direction and the pinion gear 47 rotates in the g ₂ direction. Then, the synchronous drive gear 41 is driven in the g ₃ direction. In addition, the synchronous drive gear ₄₁ moves the synchronous gears 46 _{1 to} 46 ₃ in the g ₄₁ direction and g
₄₂ is rotated in the direction and g ₄₃ direction to drive the gear 39 ₁ to 39 _3, respectively g ₅₁ direction, the g ₅₂ direction and g ₅₃ direction. Thus, the second three of view of the lifting mechanism 36 _{1-36 3} each lifting screw 38 _{1-38 3} are each synchronously g ₆₁ direction, g
_The disc transfer mechanism 21 descends after rotating in the ₆₂ and g ₆₃ directions. Then, the system controller 19 detects the fall of the output signal of the sensor 44 shown in FIG. 7 and stops the lowering of the disk transfer mechanism 21. That is, the disc transfer mechanism 21 is lowered by a distance corresponding to the width t ₁ of the waveform shown in FIG. Then, the process returns to step S2.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S7 is "YES", the process proceeds to step 9. In step S9, an unloading error message is displayed on the display unit 24, and then in step S10.
Go to. In step S10, after the operation of moving the CD 50 to the home position, that is, the operation of setting the CD 50 on the turntable 9 of the disc reproducing unit 8, the series of operations is ended.

Thus, when the CD 50 is not loaded into the predetermined insertion slot 4 of the magazine 2 during unloading, the operation of shifting the disc transfer mechanism 21 up and down by a predetermined distance and reloading the CD 50 is repeated three times. The magazine 2 can be securely attached to the predetermined insertion port 4. Further, even if the operation of shifting the disc transfer mechanism 21 is repeated three times, if the CD 50 is not mounted in the predetermined insertion slot 4, the display will be displayed, so the operator of this disc changer will immediately deal with this situation. can do. And in this case, the CD
Since the 50 is returned to the home position, a failure such as the CD 50 being sandwiched between the magazine 2 and the disc reproducing section 8 does not occur.

In the above description, the disc reproducing unit 8 is mounted on the bottom plate 5 and the disc transfer mechanism 21 is always raised when the CD 50 is unloaded. However, the disc reproducing unit 8 is a top plate of the disc changer. When the CD 50 is unloaded according to the position of the insertion slot 3 in the magazine 2 corresponding to the CD 50 set in the disc reproducing section 8, the disc transfer mechanism 21 is installed. It can be lowered or raised.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the disc can be accurately returned to the predetermined insertion opening in the magazine at the time of unloading. Moreover, if the disc cannot be returned to the predetermined insertion slot in the magazine even after the unloading operation is repeated a predetermined number of times, a message to that effect is displayed, and the operator of this disc changer immediately responds to this situation. There is an effect that can be done. Further, in this case, since the disc is returned to the disc reproducing unit, there is an effect that a failure such as the disc being sandwiched between the magazine and the disc reproducing unit does not occur.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a disc changer and a magazine used in this disc changer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a disc changer according to an embodiment of the present invention and a magazine used in this disc changer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the disc transfer mechanism 21, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the disc changer, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the disc changer, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system controller 19. , FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram of the output signal of the sensor 44. 1 ... disk, 2 ... magazine, 4 ... insertion slot, 8 ...
… Disc playback part, 19 …… System controller (control means), 21 …… Disc transfer mechanism (control means), 22 ……
Auto change mechanism drive unit (control means), 51 to 53 ... Sensor (detection means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of insertion openings (4) are provided at predetermined intervals along a predetermined direction, and a predetermined insertion opening from a magazine (2) in which a disk (1) is housed in each insertion opening (4). Load the disc (1) stored in (4),
A disc changer for unloading the disc (1) into the predetermined insertion slot (4) after the disc is reproduced by a disc reproducing section (8), and detecting means (51) for detecting the end of the unloading at the time of the unloading. , 52, 53), and if the detecting means (51, 52, 53) does not detect the end of unloading of the disc (1) within a predetermined time after the start of the unloading operation, the disc (1) is A predetermined unloading operation is performed after moving the magazine (2) in a direction for pulling it out, and then moving the magazine (2) for a predetermined distance shorter than the predetermined interval along the predetermined direction so as to approach the predetermined insertion opening (4) again. If the detection means (51, 52, 53) does not detect the end of unloading of the disc (1) even after the number of times, the unloading is impossible. With a view, disc changer, characterized in that the disc (1) and a said control means for controlling to set the disk reproducing portion (8) (19, 21, 22).