JPH097280A - Auto-changer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the occurrence of various kinds of trouble due to a fall of an upper side disk from a tray even when more than two disks are placed in layers on the tray. CONSTITUTION: A stocker 22 housing plural disks 1 is vertically movably disposed, and in front of this stocker, the tray 33 for taking the disk 1 inside and outside the stocker 22 and a reproducing part 34 for reproducing the disk 1 are disposed. Under the state of opening the tray 33, when, for instance, two disks 1 are inadvertently placed on a disk holder 25 by the user, closing operation is performed by the tray 33 as it is. Then, only the lowermost disk 1 on the disk holder 25 is housed halfway in the stocker 12, while the upper disk 1 remains on the tray 33. The remaining disk 1 is held in its position by a holding means of the tray 33, and hence unable to fall down. Consequently, the occurrence of various kinds of trouble due to entering of the disk 1 into a gap in each part is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an autochanger suitable for application to a disc autochanger capable of selectively reproducing and exchanging a plurality of discs.
More specifically, when the tray is closed in a state where two or more discs are stacked on the tray, the disc above the lowermost disc is held by the holding means, so that the disc above the gap is kept between the respective parts. It relates to an autochanger that tries to prevent it from getting in and causing various troubles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
There is a disc autochanger 10 capable of selectively reproducing and exchanging a disc 1 such as a (compact disc). This disc auto changer 1
In No. 0, a vertically movable stocker 12 and a reproducing unit 13 for reproducing the disc 1 are arranged in a box-shaped cabinet 11. The stocker 12 can store a plurality of disks 1. The reproducing unit 13 is composed of a disk chucking mechanism, an optical pickup, and the like. Also,
A tray 14 for loading and unloading the disc 1 from the outside is arranged so that it can be freely loaded and unloaded through an inlet / outlet port 15 of the cabinet 11.

FIG. 61 shows a procedure of a disc storing and reproducing operation of the conventional disc autochanger 10. In the disc storing and reproducing process 20, first, the disc No.
Is designated (step 421),
When the designation is made, it is judged whether or not there is the disc 1 in the tray 14 (step 422). If there is a disc 1 in the tray 14, then the disc 1 in the tray 14 is stored in a predetermined position of the stocker 12, that is, in the position where the disc 1 was stored before it was moved to the tray 14 (step 423).

Then, the stocker 12 is moved to match the storage position of the designated number with the height of the tray 14 (step 424), and then the disc 1 of the designated number is moved to the tray 1.
4) (step 425). In step 425, even when the disc 1 having the designated number is not in the stocker 12, the movement processing similar to that when the disc 1 is present is performed. In step 422, the disc 1 is placed in the tray 14.
If it is determined that the stocker 12 does not exist, the stocker 12 is moved in step 424, and the tray 14 and the storage position of the designated number are moved.
Are adjusted to the same height, and then the same processing as described above is performed.

After the movement process of the disc 1 is performed in step 425, or when it is determined in step 421 that the disc number is not designated, it is determined whether or not the tray open / close key is turned on (step). 426) and a determination process (step 427) as to whether or not the reproduction key is turned on. That is, here, the tray open / close key and the play key are not turned on at the same time.
The status of both keys is being monitored. Then, for example, when it is determined in step 426 that the tray open / close key is turned on, the tray 14 is opened next (step 4
28). Normally, at this time, the disc 1 is placed on the tray 14.

Next, it is judged whether or not the tray open / close key is on (step 429), and if it is judged to be on, the tray 14 is closed (step 430).
Then, the presence / absence of the disc 1 in the tray 14 is determined and the result is displayed (step 431), and the disc 1 is clamped (step 432), whereby the disc storing process and the reproducing process 20 are performed. finish.

If it is determined in step 427 that the playback key is turned on, it is next determined whether or not there is the disc 1 in the tray 14 (step 433). Is reproduced (step 434). Then, it is judged whether or not the reproducing process is completed (step 435), and when it is completed, the disc storing and reproducing process 20 is completed. Also, step 43
When it is determined that there is no disc 1 in the tray 14 in 3,
The disc storing and reproducing process 20 is finished as it is.

[0008]

By the way, in the conventional disc autochanger 10 shown in FIG.
When the tray 14 was opened and the disc 1 was placed from the outside, even if two discs 1 were stacked, this could not be detected. Therefore, in this case, the tray 14 is left in a state where the two discs 1 are overlapped.
Will be closed. Then, the disc 1 on the upper side abuts on the part in the middle of the passage of the tray 14 and is left at that position, and only the disc 1 on the lowermost side is placed on the tray 14.
Is drawn in and stored in the stocker 12. At this time, the upper disk 1 is dropped because the lower disk 1 that has been supported up to now disappears, and this may fall into the gaps of the respective parts and cause various troubles.

Therefore, the present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems, and even when two or more discs are placed on the tray in an overlapping manner, the upper disc drops from the tray and various troubles occur. The present invention proposes an autochanger capable of preventing the occurrence of the above.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the autochanger of the present invention, a movable tray means for placing a recording medium, a receiving means for holding the tray means and the recording medium, A moving means for moving the tray means between the accommodating means and an external take-out position of the recording medium; Holding means provided in the moving means for holding the recording medium above the lowest recording medium on the tray means when the tray means is stored in the storage means. It is characterized by that.

[0011]

In the automatic changer of the present invention, when a plurality of recording media are stacked on the tray means at the external take-out position, the tray means is housed in the housing means as usual. At this time, the recording medium above the lowermost recording medium comes into contact with the component in transit and stops at that position, and only the lowermost recording medium is accommodated in the accommodating means together with the tray means. . Then, as a support for the upper recording medium, the upper recording medium is held here by the holding means and does not drop. As a result, it is possible to prevent various troubles from occurring due to the upper recording medium entering the gaps between the respective parts.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, one embodiment in which the autochanger according to the present invention is applied to a disc autochanger will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a disc autochanger 20 to which the autochanger according to the present invention is applied.
The disc autochanger 20 is provided with a cabinet 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape for accommodating the entire apparatus. On the rear side of the cabinet 21, there is arranged a stocker 22 as a storage means capable of accommodating a plurality of discs 1 such as CDs (compact discs), which are recording media, vertically, in this example, 7 discs. Has been done. A cylindrical stocker moving cam 23 and a guide rod 24 are erected on the rear side of the stocker 22 (FIG. 6).
The stocker 22 is moved between the upper partition 31 and the lower partition 32 by the rotation of the stocker moving cam 23. At this time, the stocker 22 is guided by the guide rod 24 so as not to laterally shift.

The stocker 22 is capable of accommodating a plurality of disc holders 25, which are receiving means for placing the discs 1, vertically stacked. In this example, seven disc holders 25 can be stored. One disc 1 is placed on each disc holder 25. An upper partition plate 31 is arranged above the stocker 22 and a lower partition plate 32 is arranged below it. On the upper surface side of the lower partition plate 32, the stocker 2
A stocker detection switch 520 is attached to detect the stocker 22 when the 2 is arranged at the bottom.

A tray mounting portion 40 is horizontally provided on the front half side of the cabinet 21, and a tray 33 as a loading / unloading means for loading / unloading the disk tray 25 and the disk 1 is slidably mounted thereon. It has been placed. A tray entrance / exit 28 through which the tray 33 passes is provided on the front surface of the cabinet 21. Tray mounting part 4
On the lower side of 0, a reproducing unit 34 which is a reproducing unit of the disc 1 is provided.
Are arranged to be able to move up and down.

In the reproduction mode, in order to prevent the disc 1 in the stocker 22 from jumping out or the disc 1 on the reproducing section 34 from jumping into the stocker 22 for the reason described below, reproduction is performed. A plate-shaped stopper 512 as stopper means is provided at the tip of the portion 34 on the stocker 22 side. Then, when the reproducing unit 34 rises, the front opening 22a (FIG. 2) of the shelf corresponding to the reproducing unit 34 of the stocker 22 is closed by the stopper 512.

That is, in the reproducing mode, the disc holder 25 in the stocker 22 and the disc 1 placed on the disc holder 25 are pulled out and clamped in the reproducing portion 34. Stocker 22 in which holder 25 and disk 1 were stored
Shelves are empty. Therefore, there is a possibility that the disc 1 immediately below the empty shelf may shift to the reproducing unit 34 side through the space of the empty shelf. Therefore, the stopper 51 arranged between the reproducing unit 34 and the stocker 22 is provided.
By providing two, the disk 1 in the stocker 22
Prevents them from jumping out.

Between the reproducing section 34 and the tray placing section 40, there is provided a disk holder 25 and a reproducing / holding section 35 for holding the disk 1 at the reproducing position. At the time of reproducing the disc 1, the reproducing unit 34 is raised, the disc 1 is lifted by the turntable 182 provided on the upper side thereof, and is clamped by the clamper 230 (FIG. 25) described later.

On the upper side of the upper partition portion 31, a cam gear 161 which is a driving means of the stocker moving cam 23, etc. (see FIG. 1).
9) is provided, and a control unit 36 that controls each unit is provided below the lower partition unit 32. A transparent window 37 is attached from the front surface to the top surface of the cabinet 21 so that the user can see the vertical movement operation of the stocker 22 and the sliding operation of the tray 33.

FIG. 2 shows the construction of the shelf of the stocker 22 and the disc holder 25. In this example, as the disk 1,
The first disc 1a having a diameter of 12 cm and the second disc 1a having a diameter of 8 cm
A case of using two types of disk 1b (FIG. 34) will be described. The first disc holder 25a in FIG. 2 is dedicated to the first disc 1a having a diameter of 12 cm, and when the second disc 1b having a diameter of 8 cm is used, the second disc holder 25b (FIG. 34) described later is used. .

The front-rear length of the first disc holder 25a is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the first disc 1a. First
At the center of the disc holder 25a, a circular disc mounting portion 41 having a diameter of approximately 12 cm is recessed, and the first disc 1a is mounted therein. On the outer peripheral side of the disc mounting portion 41, an inclined portion 42 that is inclined inward is provided over the entire circumference so that the first disc 1a can be easily placed and taken out. The front portion of the inclined portion 42 is provided with first notches 43, 43 at positions that are substantially symmetrical with respect to the central axis.

An optical pickup section 181 for reading the disk 1 and a turntable 18 are mounted on the disk mounting section 41.
In order to insert 2 (FIG. 33), a horizontally long reproduction hole 53 is provided from the center to the left end in the figure. Further, as will be described later, in order to detect an abnormality such as the presence or absence of the first disk 1a or the second disk 1b, the position, or the stacking of two disks, six detection holes 55a to the left side with respect to the vertical center axis
55f are provided in a vertical line at a predetermined interval. In addition, five detection holes 55g to 55k on the right side of the center,
They are provided in a line at a predetermined interval.

As will be described later, these detection holes 55a to 55k are provided with the presence / absence of the first disk 1a, the type, the positional deviation, and the 2nd position.
In order to be able to detect stacking of sheets and to detect the second disk 1b when the user mistakenly places it, they are arranged at predetermined intervals as described below.

That is, the intervals between the detection holes 55a to 55k are determined based on the structure of the second disk 1b as shown in FIG. The outer diameter of the second disk 1b is 8 cm
Then, a center hole 505 of 15 mm is formed in the center for chucking. A transparent portion 506 is provided around the center hole 505, and a non-transparent portion 507 coated with a recording film is provided outside the transparent portion 506. Further, a transparent portion 508 having a slight width is provided outside the non-transparent portion 507.

Therefore, in order to detect that the second disk 1b is erroneously placed on the first disk holder 25a, at least one detection hole 55a to 55k should be set to a non-contact position regardless of the position of the second disk 1b. The transparent portion 507 may be closed. Here, since the non-transparent portion 507 has a ring shape, the disc mounting portion 41 is divided into four blocks, that is, upper, lower, left, and right with respect to the center, and the second disc 1
When b is displaced to the upper, lower, left, and right limits, at least one detection hole 55a to 55k in any block
Are blocked by the non-transparent portion 507.

As shown in FIG. 2, an elongated first projecting portion 44 is formed so as to project toward the front on the front side of the first disc holder 25a on the left side in the figure, and the first projecting portion 4 is formed.
A column-shaped lever engaging portion 45 is formed on the lower surface side of the tip of the lever 4. A slender second projecting portion 46 is formed so as to project toward the front also on the front side of the first disc holder 25a on the right side in the drawing. The rack 4 extending in the front-rear direction from the right side surface of the second protruding portion 46 through the lower surface of the disk mounting portion 41.
7 are formed.

The rack 47 is divided into two parts, and a hooking part 511 having a predetermined length is provided in the middle part thereof. A predetermined gap 512 is provided between the rack 47 and the hook 511.
Is provided. The hook portion 511 has a first
When the disc holder 25a is placed at the reproducing position, it is provided to prevent the reproducing unit 34 from being displaced until it rises. That is, the hooking portion 511 constitutes a position restricting means for the first disc holder 25a together with the circular arc rib 510 of the dual-purpose gear 201 (FIG. 23) which will be described later.

At the front end of the front rack 47, the rack 47
A stopper 47a having a shape different from that of the tooth is provided.
As will be described later, when the first disc holder 25a at the reproducing position is stored in the stocker 22 at the time of initialization, another first disc holder 25a is already inserted in the stocker 22 to the end. If there is, the rotation of the rear fixed gear 184 is stopped by the stopper 47a in order to prevent the rear fixed gear 184 (FIG. 21) from driving the first disc holder 25a in the reproducing position. is there. That is, the rotation of the rear fixed gear 184 is stopped by bringing the end of the second cutout portion 188b of the rear fixed gear 184 into contact with the stopper 47a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first disc holder 25a at the reproducing position from being pressed against the disc holder 25a already stored in the stocker 22 and being damaged.

Stocker 22 and first disc holder 25
In order to pass the stocker moving cam 23 (FIG. 1) and the guide rod 24 (FIG. 1) to the left of the rear side of the a, the second
The cutout portion 51 and the third cutout portion 52 are provided adjacent to each other. Further, semicircular locking notches 54, 54 are provided near the rear portions of the left and right side surfaces of the first disc holder 25a. On the left side of the upper surface of the first disc holder 25a, a groove 56 for lever is provided along the front-rear direction in order to guide a second pressing lever-253 (FIG. 34) described later. A rectangular notch 505 is provided at the center of the front end of the first disc holder 25a in order to avoid a taper rib 502 (FIG. 9) of the tray 33 described later.

The stocker 22 has a front-rear length which is a minimum dimension necessary for accommodating the first disc 1a, and in this example, the first length.
The diameter is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the disc 1a. As a result, the stocker 22 is downsized. The width of the stocker 22 on the left and right sides is equal to the width of the first disc holder 2
It is set to be slightly larger than 5a. Stocker 2
A front opening 22a is provided on the front side of 2 for inserting and withdrawing the first disk holder 25a and the first disk 1a, and a rear opening 2 having a width smaller than this is provided on the rear side.
2b is provided. A groove-shaped cam accommodating portion 61 is provided on the left side of the rear side of the stocker 22 for passing the stocker moving cam 23 (FIG. 1), and the cam follower 62 projects from the innermost portion of the cam accommodating portion 61. . Further, a rectangular protrusion 66 is provided at the right corner of the stocker 22 in the figure toward the outer right side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spring holes 6 are formed on the left and right side walls 22c of the stocker 22 (only the left side is shown) toward the rear.
7 and a recess 68 continuous with the recess 7 are provided. Recess 6
8 is provided with an engagement protrusion 69, and a hole 65b of a locking piece 65a provided at one end of a leaf spring 65 having an arcuate curved portion 70 is fitted into the engagement protrusion 69, whereby the leaf spring 65 is formed. It is fixed. The curved portion 70 of the leaf spring 65 is
It is inserted into the stocker 22 through the spring hole 67. The recess 68 is set deeper than the thickness of the locking piece 65a of the leaf spring 65 so that the locking piece 65a does not protrude from the side surface of the stocker 22.

On the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 22c of the stocker 22, as shown in FIG. 2, holder shelves 71 are provided to project inward so as to hold the first disk holder 25a. As shown in FIG. 5, the holder shelf 71 is provided so that seven sets of the first disc holders 25a and the discs 1 can be arranged so as to be stacked at a constant interval. The central portion of the holder shelf 71 has a thickness slightly larger than the front end portion and the rear end portion, so that an inclined surface is formed in the front-rear direction from the central portion. This makes it easy to take in and out the first disc holder 25a and the disc 1. First
The upper wall 22d and the bottom wall 22e of the stocker 22 are aligned with the central axis of the chucking hole 73 of the disc 1a.
Through holes 72, 72.

When the first disk holder 25a is stored in the stocker 22, a part of the outer circumference of the first disk holder 25a is inserted into the rear opening 22b as shown in FIG. The cam storage portion 61 includes a first disc holder 25.
The second notch portion 51 of a is fitted, and a slight gap is held between the inner surface of the left and right side walls 22c of the stocker 22 and the left and right side surfaces of the first disc holder 25a. Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the curved portion 70 of the leaf spring 65 is inserted into and locked by the locking notch 54 of the first disc holder 25a. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first disc holder 25a is sandwiched by the upper and lower holder shelves 71.

The first disc holder 25a is attached to the stocker 22.
To take it out from the front, the first disc holder 25a is pulled forward by a predetermined force. As a result, the leaf spring 65
Elastically deforms to come off the hooking notch 54, and the first disc holder 25a can be pulled out. Further, the front and rear inclined surfaces of the holder shelf 71 (FIG. 5) facilitate the forward sliding of the first disc holder 25a.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, showing the arrangement of the stocker 22 in the cabinet 21. The rear portion of the stocker 22 faces the inner surface on the rear side of the cabinet 21, and the left and right side walls 22c of the stocker 22 face the inner plate portions 82, 82 of the cabinet 21, respectively.
The projection 66 on the upper right of the stocker 22 is inserted into the guide groove 83 provided along the moving direction of the stocker 22 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface).

Further, the stocker moving cam 23 is inserted into the cam storage portion 61, and the guide rod 24 is inserted into the stocker 22.
The third cutout portion 5 of the first disc holder 25a penetrates through the inside.
2 is inserted. Further, since the left and right guide bars 92, 93 (Fig. 7) of the tray 33 (Fig. 1) are inserted between the left and right inner plate portions 82, 82 of the cabinet 21 and the outer plate 21a, the guide bar insertion portion 90, 90 are provided.

On the front side of the stocker 22, the tray placing section 4 is provided.
0 is provided. A through hole 87 is provided on the front right side of the tray mounting portion 40, and a tray drive gear 88 is arranged therein. The tray drive gear 88 is driven by the tray drive motor 524. Two tray stoppers 88a, 88a are provided on the upper surface of the tray drive gear 88. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the tray 33 moves, the front stopper rib 74 provided at the right front end on the lower surface side of the tray 33 and the rear stopper rib 75 formed at the rear end are Tray stoppers 88a, 8
It is adapted to engage with 8a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the tray mounting portion 40
Two sensors 86L and 86R near the stocker 22
Is provided. These sensors 86L, 86R
Is for detecting the presence or absence of the first disk 1a or the second disk 1b, positional deviation, or stacking two disks, and the left sensor 86L is located at a position where the detection holes 55a to 55f of the disk holder 25a pass. The right sensor 86R is located at a position where the detection holes 55g to 55k pass. Various detection operations by the sensors 86L and 86R will be described later.

A first lever guide groove 89 is provided in the tray mounting portion 40 from the upper right to the lower left. The first lever guide groove 89 engages with the disc holder 25a,
It serves as guide means for guiding the first guide protrusion 132 of the pull-out lever 121 (FIG. 8) for pulling it out.
The front portion side of the first lever guide groove 89 is a straight portion 89a extending in the front-rear direction, and the other portion is a curved portion 89b curved in a convex shape on the upper left side.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pull-out lever 121
When the first guide protrusion 132 of the first lever guide groove 132 comes off from the first lever guide groove 89 for some reason,
As a returning means for returning to 9, the first lever guide groove 89
A return recess 40a is provided at the front side. The front side of the return recess 40a is provided with the first lever guide groove 8
The width is almost enough to cover 9 and the rear side is gradually narrowed so that the first guide protrusion 132 can be easily returned to the first lever guide groove 89. The return recess 40a is formed shallower than the first lever guide groove 89, and the first guide protrusion 1
32 moves in the first lever guide groove 89 to move the return recess 4
It does not enter the return recess 40a when passing through the intersection with 0a.

Near the right and left side surfaces of the tray mounting portion 40, linear first tray guide ribs 76, 7 extending in the front-rear direction are provided.
6 are provided, and a total of four second tray guide ribs 77 are provided on the inner surface of the left and right outer plates 21a of the cabinet 21 at the front end portion and the central portion.

The tray 33 is slidably mounted on the tray mounting portion 40 as shown in FIG. A substantially rectangular holder mounting portion 91 for mounting the first disc holder 25a is provided on the front side of the tray 33, and a right guide bar protruding rearward from the right end of the holder mounting portion 91 is provided on the rear side. 92 and a left guide bar 93 protruding rearward from the left end
Are provided.

The left and right widths of the tray 33 are the cabinet 2
1 is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the inner width of 1, and the right guide bar 92 and the left guide bar 93 are respectively provided in the cabinet 2.
It is inserted in the left and right guide bar insertion portions 90, 90. As a result, the tray 33 comes to move on a predetermined track. A gap of a predetermined size is maintained between the left and right outer plates 21a of the cabinet 21 and the left and right guide bars 92, 93 of the tray 33 so that the slide movement of the tray 33 in the front-rear direction is not hindered. Further, when the tray 33 is housed in the cabinet 21, the front-back length of the tray 33 is set so that the front end portion of the tray 33 is flush with the front surface of the cabinet 21.

The shape of the holder mounting portion 91 on the side of the stocker 22 is such that the front end of the first disk holder 25a does not collide when the stocker 22 moves up and down (moves in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). There is. That is, the fourth cutout portion 94 is provided to avoid the first protrusion 44 (FIG. 2) of the first disc holder 25a, and the curved portion 106 is provided to avoid the disc mounting portion 41.

Further, in order to avoid collision with the holder mounting portion 91 when the pull-out lever 121 (FIG. 8) is rotationally moved to move the first disc holder 25a,
The fifth cutout portion 107 is provided on the left side of the bending portion 106. Further, when the tray 33 is stored, the first guide protrusion 132 of the pull-out lever 121 is fixed to the tray mounting portion 4
0 is inserted into the rear end portion 89c of the first lever guide groove 89, and the right rear end portion of the holder mounting portion 91 has a shape avoiding the rear end portion 89c of the first lever guide groove 89.

The holder mounting portion 91 is composed of an upper surface portion 98 and a bottom surface portion 97 recessed in the upper surface portion 98. The width of the bottom surface portion 97 is set according to the width of the first disc holder 25a, and linear left and right edge guide portions 101 and 102 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right edges thereof. .

On the left side surface of the left edge guide portion 101, a second pressing lever 253 of a second disc holder 25b, which will be described later, is provided.
In order to guide the rotation of (FIG. 34), a holding lever guide portion 100 is provided as a recess, and the first disc holder 25a is provided on the right side.
In order to guide the lever engaging portion 45 (FIG. 2), an engaging portion guiding groove 105 extending forward and backward is provided. The right side surface of the rear portion of the engaging portion guide groove 105 is a curved portion 105a curved rightward. At the front edge of the bottom surface 97,
A curved edge portion 103 having a shape corresponding to the disc mounting portion 41 of the first disc holder 25a is formed. Curved edge 1
On the left and right sides of 03, arc-shaped finger insertion portions 111, 111 are provided.

On the rear side of the bottom portion 97, there is a second laterally extending second portion.
A lever guide groove 95 is provided, and a third lever guide groove 96 is provided at the center to the lower right. The second lever guide groove 95 includes only a straight portion, and the third lever guide groove 96
Is composed of a straight portion and a curved portion. The second lever guide groove 95 and the third lever guide groove 96 form the pull-out lever 1
21 (FIG. 8) is formed in a V shape in accordance with the locus of the rotational movement. On the rear side of the bottom surface portion 97, there are two rows of detection holes 55a to 55f, 55g to 5 of the first disc holder 25a.
The detection holes 55m, 55 are positioned so as to be located on the center line of 5k.
n is provided.

Further, in the vicinity of the left finger putting section 111,
A triangular protrusion 115 and an abutting portion 113 are provided to rotate a first pressing lever 252 (FIG. 35) described later. The height of the contact portion 113 is between the top surface portion 98 and the bottom surface portion 97, and the first contact surface 113a, the second contact surface 113b, the third contact surface 113c, and the fourth contact surface are sequentially arranged from the left side. Face 11
3d is provided.

On the lower surface of the tray 33, the tray mounting portion 40 is provided.
Tray drive rack 11 that meshes with the tray drive gear 88 of
4 is formed extending in the front-rear direction. A front stopper rib 74 and a rear stopper rib 75 that engage with the tray stoppers 88a and 88a are formed on the right front end and rear end of the lower surface of the tray 33. Tray 3
In the closed state of 3, the two tray stoppers 88a,
One of the 88a engages with the front end of the front stopper rib 74 to regulate the position of the tray 33, so that even if the tray 33 is pulled by hand, it will not be pulled out. ing.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first disc holder 2
The pull-out lever 121 as an engaging means for engaging with and moving the 5a is arranged in the bottom surface portion 97 of the tray 33. The pull-out lever 121 is formed in a substantially L shape, and has a first curved portion 122 formed in a curved shape so as not to interfere with the disk mounting portion 41 of the stocker 22 and a first guide portion that abuts on the rack guide portion 104 of the tray 33. Straight part 123 and the first
Second straight line portion 124 extending obliquely forward from the straight line portion 123
And the second curved portion 125 protruding forward and the second curved portion 1
And a third straight portion 126 extending rearward from the left end of 25.

A cylindrical first guide protrusion 132, a second guide protrusion 133, and a third guide protrusion 134 are formed on the lower surface of the pull-out lever 121. Each guide protrusion 132-1
34 is the second straight line portion 124 from the right rear end portion to the central portion.
Are arranged in a straight line along the line. Then, the first guide protrusion 132 is provided in the first lever guide groove 89 of the tray mounting portion 40.
The second guide protrusion 133 is inserted into the second tray of the tray 33.
The third guide protrusion 134 is inserted into the lever guide groove 95,
It is inserted in the third lever guide groove 96 of the tray 33.

The third guide protrusion 134 is provided with a retaining claw portion 134a, and the third guide protrusion 134, and hence the pullout lever 121, moves from the holder mounting portion 91 when the pullout lever 121 slides. It doesn't come off carelessly. In the closed state of the tray 33, the first guide protrusion 132 is disposed at the rear end portion 89c of the first guide groove 89, the second guide protrusion 133 is disposed at the substantially right end of the second lever guide groove 95, and the third guide Protrusion 134
Is arranged substantially at the left end of the third lever guide groove 96.

First curved portion 122 of pull-out lever 121
At a crossing portion between the third straight line portion 126 and the third straight line portion 126, a short side portion 131 which is formed higher than other portions is provided. Short section 1
A cylindrical holder engaging portion 137 is formed on the lower surface of the tip end of 31.
Is provided behind the lever engaging portion 45 of the first disc holder 25a.

Further, as shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 8, a tray cover 138 is provided so as to entirely cover the holder mounting portion 91 and the pull-out lever 121. At the center of the tray cover 138, a hole 139 corresponding to the diameter of the first disc 1a and a semicircular hole 139a aligned with the finger insertion portion 111 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tray cover 138 has an arcuate locking projection 501 located at the rear end of the peripheral edge of the hole 139 and the tapered rib 5 located at the center of the front end.
02 and are provided. The locking projection 501 is a slight protrusion of, for example, about 0.2 mm. Further, the tapered rib 502 is formed by an upper inclined surface 503 having a steep inclination and a lower inclined surface 504 having a gentle inclination. The locking projection 501 and the taper rib 502 are holding means for the first disc 1a, and as will be described below, the second protrusion of the first disc 1a is fixed.
When stacking occurs, the locking projection 501 and the taper rib 5
By holding the upper first disk 1a by 02, it is prevented from falling.

Now, the user mistakenly puts a plurality of, for example, two first disks 1 into the first disk holder 25a.
When a and 1a are placed, the tray 33 is kept as it is.
Tries to close the first disk holder 25a, and tries to store the first disk holder 25a in the stocker 22. At this time, the lower first disc 1a is replaced by the first disc holder 2
It is stored partway in the stocker 22 together with 5a,
The upper first disk 1 a hits the rear end of the tray 33 and is left on the tray 33.

The remaining first disk 1a is the lower first disk.
When the front end of the disk 1a passes through the center, it slightly rotates counterclockwise, and the front end of the disk 1a is lowered by the taper rib 502.
Supported by, the rear end lifts up a little. When the lower first disk 1a is further retracted in this state, the upper first disk 1a is also dragged by this and retracts, and the rear end portion that is lifted up rides on the locking projection 501. Then, the upper first disk 1 a is held while being placed on the locking projection 501 of the tray cover 138 and the lower inclined surface 504 of the taper rib 502. This can prevent the upper first disk 1a from dropping to the lower side of the tray 33.

When the first disc 1a is overlaid with two discs, it is detected that the first disc 1a is overlaid with two discs, and the tray 33 is reopened before it is completely closed. At this time, the first disc holder 25 is placed below the first disc 1a left on the tray 33.
The first disk 1a placed on a is inserted. With this, the user can easily take out the upper first disk 1a.

The front end of the first disc holder 25a has a notch 505 for avoiding the above-mentioned taper rib 502.
(FIG. 2) is provided, and the first disc holder 25a is provided.
The disc mounting portion 41 can be moved forward until it is aligned with the hole 139 of the tray cover 138.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line D--D in FIG. 8, showing the construction of the above-mentioned first disk holder 25a, tray 33, pull-out lever 121 and tray cover 138. As shown in the figure, the pull-out lever 121 is arranged below the first disc holder 25a and the tray cover 138 so as not to prevent the movement of the first disc holder 25a in the front-back direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). Are arranged above the first disc holder 25a. Drawer lever 121
The height of the short side portion 131 is lower than that of the first protruding portion 44 of the first disc holder 25 a, and the short side portion 131 can enter the lower side of the first protruding portion 44.

The left and right first tray guide ribs 76, 76 of the tray mounting portion 40 are inserted in the first slide grooves 78, 78 provided on the lower surface of the tray 33. The second plate provided on the outer plates 21a, 21a of the cabinet 21
The tray guide ribs 77, 77 are inserted in the second slide grooves 79, 79 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the tray 33. As a result, the tray 33 can be moved only forward and backward.

The moving direction of the tray 33 can be guided only by the second tray guide ribs 77, 77.
Therefore, the first tray guide ribs 76, 76 can be deleted. Further, L-shaped cover engaging portions 138 a provided on both left and right ends of the tray cover 138 are engaged with cover fixing grooves 140 provided on the side surface of the tray 33. Here, the tray cover 138 is engaged with such strength that the user can remove it.
The inside can be inspected by removing 38.

Now, the operation of opening and closing the tray 33 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the first disc 1a is stored in the stocker 22 while being placed on the first disc holder 25a. In this state, when the user selects the open mode by the mode selection switch (not shown) provided on the front surface of the cabinet 21, for example, the tray drive motor 524 (FIG. 6) causes
The tray drive gear 88 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. Then, the tray drive rack 114 meshing with the tray drive gear 88, that is, the tray 33 is moved forward and opened.

When the tray 33 starts to slide forward,
As shown in FIG. 11, the first guide protrusion 132 of the pull-out lever 121 moves leftward and forward along the curved portion 89 b of the first lever guide groove 89, and the third guide protrusion 134 follows the third lever guide groove 96. To the right and forward. by this,
The pull-out lever 121 rotates counterclockwise. In a predetermined section from the start of sliding of the tray 33 to the rotation of the pull-out lever 121 by a predetermined angle, in this example, about 45 degrees, the pull-out lever 121 rotates about the second guide protrusion 133. Therefore, the second guide protrusion 133 hardly moves with respect to the tray 33 in the predetermined section.

The counterclockwise rotation of the pull-out lever 121 moves the holder engaging portion 137 forward along the engaging portion guide groove 105 of the tray 33. At this time, the short side portion 131 of the pullout lever 121 enters the lower surface of the first protruding portion 44 of the first disc holder 25a and is locked by the lever engaging portion 45, as shown in FIG. Furthermore,
The pull-out lever 121 rotates counterclockwise, and the short side portion 131 pushes the lever engagement portion 45 forward. As a result, the first disc holder 25a is transported forward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the left and right side surfaces of the first disc holder 25a are guided by the right edge guide portion 102 and the left edge guide portion 101 of the tray 33, and
The disc holder 25a linearly moves forward.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the tray 33 slides further forward and the third guide protrusion 134 of the pullout lever 121 reaches the right end of the third lever guide groove 96,
After this, the pull-out lever 121 is moved to the third guide protrusion 134.
And the first guide protrusion 132 moves to the left along the first lever guide groove 89, and the second guide protrusion 133 moves to the left along the second lever guide groove 95. start. In the section in which the pull-out lever 121 rotates counterclockwise around the third guide protrusion 134, the short side portion 131 of the pull-out lever 121 presses the lever engaging portion 45 of the first disc holder 25a while engaging the engaging portion. Since the forward movement is continued along the guide groove 105, the first disc holder 25a further moves forward.

When the pull-out lever 121 rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined angle, the first guide protrusion 132 of the pull-out lever 121 is inserted into the straight portion 89a of the first lever guide groove 89 as shown in FIG. At this time, the second guide protrusion 133 of the pullout lever 121 has reached the left end of the second lever guide groove 95.

At this point, the pull-out lever 121 is in a state of rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise from the start of the opening operation of the tray 33. Further, at this time, the lever engagement portion 45 is located at the front end portion of the engagement portion guide groove 105, and
The outer edge of the disc mounting portion 41 of the disc holder 25a abuts the curved edge portion 103 of the tray 33, and the pull-out lever 1
The third linear portion 126 of 21 is the first contact surface 1 of the contact portion 113.
13a, the first guide protrusion 132 contacts the fifth cutout portion 107 of the tray 33. This completes the relative movement of the first disc holder 25a with respect to the tray 33.

On the other hand, the tray 33 slides further forward with the disc holder 25 placed thereon. At this time,
Since the first guide protrusion 132 of the pullout lever 121 is linearly guided by the linear portion 89a of the first lever guide groove 89, and the holder engaging portion 137 is linearly guided by the engaging portion guide groove 105. The pull-out lever 121 moves forward without rotating. Then, the first guide protrusion 132
Reaches the end of the straight portion 89a, and the first disc holder 2
When the 5a and the first disk 1a are completely exposed from the cabinet 21, the tray drive gear 88 stops and the opening operation of the tray 33 is completed.

In the open state of the tray 33, the first cutout portions 43, 43 of the first disc holder 25a are in the tray 33.
The first disk 1a can be easily taken out by the user by inserting a finger from the finger inserting portions 111, 111.
Further, in this state, the rear stopper rib 7 of the tray 33 is
5 is tray stoppers 88 a and 8 of the tray drive gear 88.
8a, which is engaged with one of the
The first first guide protrusion 132 is in contact with the front end of the linear portion 89a of the first lever guide groove 89, so that the tray 33 cannot be pulled out any further.

In the closing operation of the tray 33, the tray drive gear 88 rotates in the clockwise direction as opposed to when it is opened, whereby the tray 33 slides rearward. And
By an operation almost opposite to the opening operation, the pull-out lever 121 first moves linearly rearward and then moves rearward while rotating clockwise. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, the short side portion 131 of the pull-out lever 121 abuts on the front end surface 500 of the first disc holder 25a and presses it rearward, that is, the stocker 22 side, and when the closing operation of the tray 33 is completed, As shown in FIG. 8, the first disc holder 25 a is stored in the stocker 22. As described above, by using the pull-out lever 121 that rotates and moves linearly in conjunction with the tray 33, the first disc 1a can be easily put in and taken out of the stocker 22.

When the pull-out lever 121 moves forward, for example, when the first disc 1a or the second disc 1b is displaced from the normal position and left in the middle, the pull-out lever 121 is caught by this. Therefore, it may happen that the vehicle moves out of a predetermined trajectory. In this case, the first guide protrusion 132 of the pullout lever 121
However, in the present invention, the first guide protrusion 132 is guided by the return groove 40a when the tray 33 is closed, as described with reference to FIG. 9, in the first lever guide groove 89. It is designed to be returned to the groove 89.
Therefore, when the tray 33 is opened next time,
Since the pull-out lever 121 comes to move along a normal locus, the disc 1 that has been left in the middle
It is possible to remove a and 1b.

Next, the moving mechanism of the stocker 22 and its operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the stocker 22 is vertically moved by the rotation of the stocker moving cam 23, and the first disk 1a on the shelf designated by the user is moved to the tray 3
3 or the height of the reproduction holding section 35. That is, when the designated first disc 1a is replaced, the stocker 22 is carried to the height of the tray 33, and when the designated first disc 1a is reproduced, it is carried to the height of the reproduction holding unit 35.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16, the stocker 2
Three cam followers 62 are projected rearward from the front end surface of the second cam storage portion 61.
Meshes with the stocker moving cam 23. The upper portion of the stocker moving cam 23 penetrates the upper partition portion 31 as shown in FIG. 16 and is rotationally driven by the driving means (FIG. 19) provided on the upper partition portion 31 as described later.

The stocker moving cam 23 has an inclined portion 23a for moving the cam follower 62 of the stocker 22 upward or downward as shown in FIG. 17, and holds the stocker 22 at a fixed position as shown in FIG. Flat part 23b
It is composed of The space between the flat portions 23b is set to be the same as the space between the shelves in the stocker 22, that is, the space between the housed first disk holders 25a. Also,
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the stocker moving cam 2
A guide rod 24 that is parallel to 3 penetrates the stocker 22 and is attached to the upper partition 31 and the lower partition 32.

As shown in FIG. 16, the cam drive motor 151 is attached to the inner surface of the outer side plate 21a of the cabinet 21, the rotary shaft 151a thereof penetrates the upper partition 31, and the pulley 151b is attached to the upper end thereof. Has been. As shown in FIG. 19, a first intermediate gear 153 is arranged at an appropriate interval from the cam drive motor 151, and this is rotatably attached to the upper partition portion 31.

A pulley 153b is attached to the rotary shaft 153a of the first intermediate gear 153. Then, the pulley 151b of the cam drive motor 151 and the first intermediate gear 15
A belt 152 is wound around the third pulley 153b. A first inner gear 154 having a smaller diameter is provided on the lower surface of the first intermediate gear 153, and a second intermediate gear 158 is meshed with the first inner gear 154. In the second intermediate gear 158,
One rotation detection hole 158a is provided at a predetermined position. The rotation detecting hole 158 is provided above the second intermediate gear 158.
A detection unit 162 that detects a is provided.

A second inner gear 159 having a smaller diameter than that of the second intermediate gear 158 is provided on the upper surface of the second intermediate gear 158, and a third intermediate gear 160 is meshed with the second inner gear 159. Further, this third intermediate gear 16
0 is meshed with a cam gear 161 fixed to the shaft 23c of the stocker moving cam 23. In this example, each gear ratio is set such that when the second intermediate gear 158 makes one revolution, the cam gear 161 also makes one revolution.

As shown in FIG. 20, the detecting section 162 has a second
It is formed in a U shape so as to sandwich a part of the intermediate gear 158. A stocker reference position detection sensor 163 that is aligned with the rotation detection hole 158a of the second intermediate gear 158 is attached to the upper plate portion 162a of the detection unit 162, and the base 162b.
A light emitter 164 facing the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is attached to the. Here, each time the second intermediate gear 158 makes one revolution, that is, every time the stocker moving cam 23 makes one revolution, the light emitted from the light emitting body 164 passes through the rotation detecting hole 158a for detecting the stocker reference position. It is detected by the sensor 163.

Next, the raising operation of the stocker 22 will be described. When the stocker 22 is stopped at an arbitrary position, the rotation detection hole 158a of the second intermediate gear 158 is stopped at a position that coincides with the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 and the light emitter 164. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the inclined portion 23a of the stocker moving cam 23 faces rearward, and the flat portion 23b faces forward. The cam follower 62 of the stocker 22 meshes with the flat portion 23b. Therefore, the cam follower 62 does not slide down the inclined surface as in the case of using a general cam composed of only the inclined portion, so that the cam follower 62 and thus the stocker 22 are securely held at the designated position.
This makes it possible to position the stocker 22 reliably and with high accuracy.

For example, when the stocker 22 is lifted by one shelf, the cam driving motor 151 is turned counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 19 in response to a command from the control unit 36 below the lower partition 32. Rotate to. This rotation is belt 1
52, the first intermediate gear 153, the first internal gear 154, the second intermediate gear 158, and the second internal gear 159, and is transmitted to the third intermediate gear 160. Further, the rotation of the third intermediate gear 160 is caused by the cam 2 for the stocker moving via the cam gear 161.
3, and the stocker moving cam 23 rotates clockwise.

When the stocker moving cam 23 rotates clockwise, the cam follower 62 is guided by the inclined portion 23a and moves upward as shown in FIG. 16, whereby the stocker 22 rises. As described above, each flat portion 23b
Since the interval of is set to be the same as the interval of the shelves of the stocker 22, when the stocker moving cam 23 makes one rotation, the stocker 22 moves up by one shelf. Then, when the second intermediate gear 158 makes one rotation as described with reference to FIG. 19, the rotation detection hole 158a is detected by the light emitter 164 and the stocker reference position detection sensor 163, and the control unit 36 outputs the detection signal based on the detection signal. The cam drive motor 151 is stopped by the stop signal thus generated.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, since the flat portion 23b faces forward and the cam followers 62 are meshed with each other, the cam followers 62 are securely held and the stocker 22 is reliably positioned as before the raising operation. And it is performed with high accuracy. The lowering operation of the stocker 22 is performed by rotating the cam drive motor 151 in the opposite direction to the upward movement. By repeating the above-described operation of raising the stocker 22 by one shelf, the stocker 22 can be raised by a plurality of shelves.

As described above, in the disc autochanger 20 of the present invention, the stocker 22 is moved up and down by the inclined portion 23a of the stocker moving cam 23, and the positioning is performed by the flat portion 23b. Therefore, the stocker 22 has a simple structure. Can be positioned reliably and with high accuracy.

Next, the operation when the reproducing unit 34 reproduces the first disc 1a stored in the stocker 22 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned stocker moving cam 23 is rotationally driven to move the stocker 22 up and down, so that the first disc holder 25 a housed in the designated shelf is moved to a position higher than that of the reproduction holding unit 35. Will be placed. Then, the first disc holder 25a on the shelf designated by the disc transporting means, which will be described later, is placed in the reproduction holding portion 35.
It is conveyed horizontally to the upper chucking position, and then the reproducing section elevating means, which will be described later, raises the reproducing section 34 so that the first disk 1a on the first disk holder 25a is chucked by the reproducing section 34. Clamped. In other words, the disk reproduction preparation means is constituted by the two means, which continuously operate, the disk conveying means and the reproducing section elevating means.

Next, the disk reproduction preparation means will be described. FIG. 21 shows a JJ cross section of FIG. 1. As shown in the figure, the reproduction holding portion 35 is composed of a plate-shaped front holding portion 35a horizontally protruding inward from the left side outer plate 21a of the cabinet 21 and a rear holding portion 35b. An appropriate space is provided between the front holding portion 35a and the rear holding portion 35b.

A straight left edge guide portion 191 and a right edge guide portion 192 extending in the front-rear direction are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right outer plates 21a. The distance between the left edge guide portion 191 and the right edge guide portion 192 is set corresponding to the width of the first disc holder 25a. At the front end of the left edge guide portion 191, a holder engagement portion 194 is provided to engage with the first disc holder 25a. Further, a curved edge portion 193 corresponding to the shape of the disc mounting portion 41 of the first disc holder 25a is provided on the front surface side of the cabinet 21.

A reproducing section 34 and a gear mounting section 185 are provided below the front holding section 35a and the rear holding section 35b. An optical pickup section 181 and a turntable 182 are attached to the reproducing section 34. When the reproducing unit 34 moves up in the reproducing mode, the optical pickup unit 181
The turntable 182 passes between the front holding portion 35a and the rear holding portion 35b.

On the other hand, the gear mounting portion 185 is provided with a rear fixed gear 184 constituting a disc conveying means at a position where it can mesh with the rack 47 of the second projecting portion 46 of the first disc holder 25a. On the front side of the rear fixed gear 184, there is also provided a front fixed gear 183 which constitutes a disk carrying means. The gear specifications of the rear fixed gear 184 and the front fixed gear 183 are the same. However, the teeth of the rear fixed gear 184 are missing at two places. .

As shown in FIG. 22 (A), the rear fixed gear 184 has a first notch portion 188a and a second notch portion 218 with missing teeth.
A cutout portion 188b is provided. Then, when the first disc holder 25a is completely inside the stocker 22, the first fixed portion 184 does not interfere with the second projecting portion 46 of the first disc holder 25a so that the first notch portion 188 is formed.
The a is arranged so as to correspond to the tip of the second protrusion 46. Therefore, the rear fixed gear 184 is connected to the rack 47.
Is not in mesh with. This can prevent the first disc holder 25a from colliding with the rear fixed gear 184 when the stocker 22 moves up and down.

FIG. 23 shows the structure of the driving means for driving the fixed gears 183 and 184. The front fixed gear 183 and the rear fixed gear 184 are provided with inner gears 183a and 184a each having a smaller diameter on the lower surface side thereof. The inner gears 183a and 184a have the same diameter, and both inner gears 183a and 184a have the same diameter.
A synchronous gear 186 is meshed with a and 184a. A transmission gear 187 is meshed with the synchronous gear 186.

A dual-purpose gear 201 having a relatively large diameter is meshed with the transmission gear 187. An outer peripheral gear 204 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the dual-purpose gear 201, and an inner peripheral gear 205 having a small diameter is formed on the lower surface side over a half circumference. The outer peripheral gear 204 of the dual-purpose gear 201 is formed by forming a narrow upper gear 204a formed over the entire circumference as shown in FIG. 24 and a half circumference tooth of the upper gear 204a extending downward. And a lower gear 204b.

The above-described transmission gear 187 meshes with the lower gear 204b shown by the solid line in the figure. The upper gear 204a shown by the chain double-dashed line has a gear mounting portion 18
The drive gear 202 of the loading motor 203 mounted on the lower side of the gear 5 is meshed. That is, since the upper gear 204a of the dual-purpose gear 201 is provided over the entire circumference, the rotational force of the loading motor 203 is always transmitted to the dual-purpose gear 201.

Further, on the upper surface side of the dual-purpose gear 201, as shown in FIG.
As also indicated by 4, arcuate ribs 510 having a predetermined length are provided. As will be described later, when the first disc holder 25a or the second disc holder 25b is arranged at the reproducing position, the circular arc ribs 510 are displaced from each other before the reproducing unit 34 moves up. It is provided to prevent this. That is, the arc rib 51
Reference numeral 0, together with the above-mentioned hooking portion 511 (FIG. 2), constitutes a position regulating means for the disc holders 25a and 25b.

The inner peripheral gear 205 of the dual-purpose gear 201 is provided with the rack 2 for raising and lowering the sliding portion 209 which constitutes the reproducing portion raising and lowering means.
11 is meshed. Lower gear 20 of the dual-purpose gear 201
Since the 4b and the inner peripheral gear 205 are provided only in a substantially half circumference, the rotational force of the loading motor 203 is transmitted at a predetermined timing to the transmission gear 187 and the lifting rack 211 that mesh with them. Combined gear 201
An arc cam 531 is provided on the lower surface side of the. The arcuate cam 531 has a recess 522 at a predetermined angle on a part of the circumference.
Is provided. A disc holder detection switch 523 is arranged near the arc cam 531.

Then, for example, when the first disc holder 25a is housed in the stocker 22 as shown in the figure and when the first disc holder 25a is arranged at the reproducing position as shown in FIG. 31, an arc is formed. The concave portion 522 of the cam 531 is arranged at a position corresponding to the disc holder detection switch 523, whereby the disc holder detection switch 523 is turned off. At other times, that is, during the movement of the first disc holder 25a and the reproducing unit 34.
During vertical movement of, the disc holder detection switch 523 is turned on as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 25, the rotary shaft 221 arranged near the outer plate 21a on the left side of the cabinet 21
The reproducing unit 34 is rotatably attached. Playback part 3
A cylindrical protrusion 222 is provided at the right end of 4. On the other hand, the sliding portion 209 is arranged on the right side of the reproducing portion 34. The sliding portion 209 is formed in an inverted L shape by a vertical portion 209a facing the reproducing portion 34 and a horizontal portion 209b located above the gear mounting portion 185. Lateral part 209
An elevating rack 211 is provided at the right end of b, and this is engaged with the inner peripheral gear 205 of the dual-purpose gear 201.

A lower projection 223 extending in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) is provided on the lower surface of the lateral portion 209b and is inserted into the first guide groove 224 of the gear mounting portion 185. A rightward protruding portion 225 is provided at the lower end of the vertical portion 209a.
Is provided, and this is inserted into the second guide groove 226 provided on the left side surface of the gear mounting portion 185. Therefore,
The sliding portion 209 is slidable only in the front-back direction. A clamper 230 for clamping the first disc 1 a is provided below the tray placing section 40 of the cabinet 21, that is, above the reproduction holding section 35.
The turntable 182 of No. 4 is rotatably attached.

The vertical portion 209a of the sliding portion 209 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, an elevating guide groove 231 is provided. The elevating guide groove 231 includes a rear horizontal portion 231a on the lower rear side, a front horizontal portion 231b on the upper front portion, and the horizontal portions 231a, 231.
It is composed of an inclined portion 231b connecting 1b. The projecting portion 222 of the reproducing portion 34 is inserted into the elevating guide groove 231. Therefore, as the sliding portion 209 moves back and forth, the protruding portion 222 moves up and down along the inclined portion 231b, whereby the reproducing portion 34 rotates about the rotation shaft 221.

When the first disk 1a housed in the stocker 22 is conveyed to the reproducing position, the loading motor 203 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. It is transmitted to the synchronous gear 186 via the transmission gear 187, and the synchronous gear 186 rotates clockwise. The rotation of the synchronous gear 186 is transmitted to the front fixed gear 183 and the rear fixed gear 184 via the inner gears 183a and 184a. Here, FIG.
As shown in (B), when the rack 47 of the first disc holder 25a meshes with the rear fixed gear 184, the inner gears 183a, 184b are synchronously rotated so as to mesh smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 27, the rear fixed gear 184
When is rotated, it is meshed with the rack 47 of the first disc holder 25a, and the first disc holder 25a slides forward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the inner peripheral gear 205 of the dual-purpose gear 201 is not meshed with the lifting rack 211 of the sliding portion 209, and the sliding portion 209 does not move. When the rear fixed gear 184 further rotates, the front fixed gear 183 meshes with the rack 47 before the second cutout portion 188b of the rear fixed gear 184 is arranged on the rack 47 side as shown in FIG. When the second cutout portion 188b of the rear fixed gear 184 is arranged on the rack 47 side, the front fixed gear 183 causes the first disc holder 2 to move.
5a is sent further forward.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 29, the left and right side surfaces of the first disc holder 25a are restricted by the left edge guide portion 191 and the right edge guide portion 192, and the first disc holder 25a slides straight forward. When the first disc 1a reaches the reproduction position, the first disc holder 25
The first projecting portion 44 of a contacts the holder locking portion 194 of the cabinet 21 and the outer periphery of the disk mounting portion 41 contacts the curved edge 193, so that the first disk holder 25a is held at the reproduction position. To be done. This is the first
The transportation of the disc holder 25a is completed. At this time, the reproduction hole 53 of the first disc holder 25a is not
Is arranged above the turntable 182 and the optical pickup unit 181.

When the first disc holder 25a is placed at the reproducing position, as shown in FIG.
The lower gear 204b comes off from the transmission gear 187, and the rotation of the loading motor 203 is not transmitted to the transmission gear 187. Therefore, the transmission gear 187, the synchronous gear 186, the front fixed gear 183, and the rear fixed gear 184 meshing with the transmission gear 187 stop, and the first disc holder 25a.
Is stopped at the play position.

Even after the first disk holder 25a is completely conveyed, the loading motor 203 further rotates and the dual-purpose gear 201 rotates. At this time, the first disc holder 2
The circular arc rib 510 of the dual-purpose gear 201 enters through the gap 512 on the rear side of the hooking portion 511 in the middle portion of the rack 47 of 5a, the dual-purpose gear 201 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the reproducing portion 34 (FIG. 25) is formed. It is inserted into the front or rear gap 512 until it rises. As a result, the hook portion 511
Are locked to the arc ribs 510, and the first disc holder 25
It is possible to prevent the shift of a from the reproduction position.

After the completion of transport of the first disc holder 25a, the inner peripheral gear 205 of the dual-purpose gear 201 is moved to the sliding portion 20.
The sliding portion 209 is moved rearward by engaging with the lifting rack 211 of No. 9. As shown in FIG. 31, the sliding portion 20
Just before 9 moves to the rearward movement limit position, the combined gear 2
The lower gear 204b of 01 is meshed with the transmission gear 187. When the sliding portion 209 moves rearward, as shown in FIG. 32, the up-and-down guide groove 231 of the sliding portion 209 causes the slant portion 3 to move.
21c, the protrusion 222 of the reproducing unit 34 rises,
The reproducing unit 34 rotates around the rotation shaft 221.

Then, as shown in FIG. 33, the turntable 182 and the optical pickup section 181 ascend. Accordingly, the optical pickup unit 181 and the turntable 1
Reference numeral 82 projects above the reproduction holding portion 35. Then, the first disk 1a placed on the first disk holder 25a is lifted by the turntable 182,
It is clamped by being clamped by the upper clamper 230. The optical pickup unit 181 includes the first disc 1a.
Approach the underside of. In this state, the turntable 182 rotates and the first disc 1a is rotationally driven, and the signal recorded on the first disc 1a is read by the optical pickup unit 181.

When the reproducing section 34 is moving up, FIG.
2nd notch 188b of the rear fixed gear 184 as shown in FIG.
The second disc holder 25a in the stocker 22
It is arranged on the side of the protrusion 46. Therefore, even during the reproduction of the first disc 1a, the stocker 22 can be moved up and down to take out or replace an arbitrary first disc 1a, for example.

On the other hand, when the reproduced first disk 1a is to be stored in the stocker 22, the loading motor 203 rotates in the opposite direction from the state shown in FIG. Rotates, the turntable 182 and the optical pickup unit 181 descend, and the first disc 1a is returned to the first disc holder 25a. Next, the first disc holder 25a is moved rearward and stored in the stocker 22 as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the disc autochanger 20, by using the pair of fixed gears 183 and 184 as disc conveying means, the first disc 1a can be attached to and detached from the reproducing section 34 with a simple structure. it can. In addition, each notch 1 for allowing the second protrusion 46 of the first disc holder 25a to pass through the rear fixed gear 183.
Since 88a and 188b are provided, the stocker 22
The first disc holder 25a therein can freely move up and down.

Although the above description has been made on the case of using the first disk 1a which is a CD having a diameter of 12 cm, the case of using the second disk 1b which is a CD having a diameter of 8 cm will be described next.

The disc autochanger 20 can also store and reproduce the second disc 1b which is a CD having a diameter of 8 cm. As shown in FIG. 34, the stocker 22 has a second disc holder 2 dedicated to the second disc 1b.
5b can also be stored. The outer shape of the second disk holder 25b is the same as that of the first disk holder 25a dedicated to the first disk 1a having a diameter of 12 cm. Therefore, the storage in the stocker 22, the movement associated with the opening or closing operation of the tray 33, and the pulling-out operation with respect to the reproducing unit 34 are the same as those of the above-described first disc holder 25a, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

However, at the center of the second disc holder 25b, a circular disc mounting portion 251 having a diameter of 8 cm and adapted to the outer diameter of the second disc 1b is provided, in which the second disc 1b is mounted. To be done. In addition, the optical pickup unit 18
1 and the turntable 182 pass through the reproduction hole 53.
Is provided. Six detection holes 5 on the left side of the center
5a to 55f are provided at the same positions as the above-mentioned first disc holder 25a. Five detection holes 55g to 55k are provided at the same position as the first disc holder 25a on the right side of the center. Linear lever groove 5 extending in the front-rear direction
6 is provided at the same position as the first disc holder 25a.

On the lower surface side of the disc mounting portion 251, there is a second
A long first pressing lever 252 and a rectangular second pressing lever 253 serve as holding means for holding the disc 1b.
They are rotatably attached by rotating shafts 254 and 255, respectively. The first pressing lever 252 is provided on the front side of the disc mounting portion 251, that is, the second disc holder 2
When 5b moves to the stocker 22 side, it is located rearward with respect to the moving direction of the second disk 1b.

The second holding lever 253 is provided on the rear side of the disc mounting portion 251, that is, when the second disc holder 25b moves to the stocker 22 side.
It is located on the front side with respect to the moving direction of. Slots 258 and 259 are formed in the outer peripheral portions of the disk mounting portion 251 on the front right and rear left, respectively, according to the moving ranges of the front holding portion 256 and the rear holding portion 257 of each pressing lever 252 and 253 described later.
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 35, the first pressing lever 252 has a long plate-shaped long portion 231 and a claw-shaped front holding portion 256 protruding from the right end of the long portion 231 toward the second disk 1b. It is configured. The rotary shaft 254 of the first pressing lever 252 is provided at the substantially center of the longitudinal portion 231. The front disk holding portion 256 projects from the lower surface side of the second disk holder 25b (FIG. 34) through the elongated hole 258 to the upper surface side of the second disk holder 25b. Then, when the first holding lever 252 rotates counterclockwise, the front side holding portion 256 is arranged on the front end portion of the second disc 1b, whereby the second disc 1b is carelessly moved from the disc mounting portion 251. It becomes possible to hold it so that it does not come off.

Front side holding portion 25 of the first pressing lever 252
At the end opposite to 6, a semi-resting contact protrusion 232 is provided on the lower surface side. On the left side of the rotary shaft 254, a recessed groove-shaped engaging portion 233 is provided, in which the second disc holder 25
The locking projection 234 formed on the lower surface of b is locked. In this state, the front holding portion 256 covers the front end portion of the disc mounting portion 251.

On the other hand, the second pressing lever 253 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a rectangular portion 236 and a claw-shaped rear holding portion 257 protruding from the right end of the rectangular portion 236 to the second disk 1b side.
It is composed of The rear side holding portion 257 projects from the lower surface side of the second disc holder 25b to the upper surface side through the elongated hole 259. An elongated contact leg 241 having elasticity is provided at the left end of the rectangular portion 236. Abutment foot 2
A triangular apex portion 239 that abuts the inner surface of the stocker 22 is formed at the tip of 41, and the tip end portion 24 is formed at the tip thereof.
0 is provided toward the rectangular portion 236 side. Further, an elongated guide plate portion 242 is formed on the lower surface of the rectangular portion 236. The guide plate portion 242 is inserted into a stocker bottom surface groove 243 provided on the bottom surface of the stocker 22 in the front-rear direction or a lever groove portion 56 provided on the disc holder 25.

The apex portion 239 of the contact foot portion 241 abuts on the inner surface of the stocker 22, and the guide plate portion 242 causes the stocker 22 to move.
The second pressing lever 253 is held at a predetermined position by being inserted into the stocker bottom groove 243 or the lever groove 56. At this time, the rear holding portion 25
7 covers the rear end of the disk mounting portion 251. As a result, the second disc 1b is placed on the disc mounting portion 251.
Is mounted, the second disc 1b is securely held so as not to drop off accidentally.

As shown in FIG. 37, the above-mentioned triangular protrusion 115 and abutting portion 113 are provided at the front end of the holder mounting portion 91 of the tray 33. The contact portion 113 has a first contact surface 113a and a third contact surface 113c that extend left and right.
And a second contact surface 113b and a fourth contact surface 113d along the diagonal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 38, the triangular protrusion 115 is composed of a straight portion 115a on the left side surface and a horizontal portion 115b on the front side.

Now, the operation of the pressing levers 252 and 253 when the tray 33 is opened and closed will be described. As shown in FIG. 37, when the second disc holder 25b is stored in the stocker 22, the first holding lever 252 and the second holding lever 25
3, the second disc 1b is placed on the disc mounting portion 251.
Since the second disc 1b is held by the second disc 1b, it is possible to prevent the second disc 1b from falling off or being displaced.

When the opening of the tray 33 is started and the second disk holder 25b slides forward, as shown in FIG. 38, the contact protrusion 232 of the first pressing lever 252 is contacted.
Moves forward along the linear portion 115a of the triangular protrusion 115. Then, the contact protrusion 232 is the third part of the contact portion 113.
The first pressing lever 2 is contacted with the contact surface 113c.
The rear side of 52 contacts the fourth contact surface 113d of the contact portion 113. After this, the tray 33 further moves forward. As a result, the first pressing lever 252 rotates clockwise, and the locking protrusion 234 of the second disc holder 25b moves to the first position.
The front holding portion 2 is disengaged from the locking portion 233 of the pressing lever.
56 retracts from the front end of the second disc 1b.

On the other hand, the second pressing lever 253 is shown in FIG.
When the second disc holder 25b slides forward, the apex 239 of the contact leg 241 abuts on the inner side surface of the stocker 22, and the guide plate 242 causes the guide plate 242 to move into the stocker bottom groove 243 or the lever groove 56. Slide forward while it is still inserted in. Then, as shown in FIG. 39, the second disc holder 25b is inserted into the stocker 22
When the guide plate portion 242 of the second pressing lever 253 is pulled out of the tray 33 and starts sliding on the tray 33, the guide plate portion 242 of the second pressing lever 253 is guided into the engagement guide groove 105 through the curved portion 105a of the tray 33.

When the guide plate portion 242 moves to the left side in the figure along the curved portion 105a, the second holding lever 253 rotates counterclockwise, and the rear holding portion 257 moves the rear end of the second disc 1b. Evacuate from the department. When the second disc holder 25b further advances, the contact foot 241 moves to the left edge guide 10
1 is inserted into the pressing lever guide portion 100. Further, the guide plate portion 242 is biased to the left side in the drawing by the right side surface of the engaging portion guide groove 105. Therefore, the second holding lever 253 is held in a state of being rotated counterclockwise, and the rear holding portion 257 is held in a state of being retracted from the upper end portion of the second disc 1b.

When the tray 33 is completely opened, as shown in FIG. 40, the holding levers 252 and 253 are pressed.
Rotates in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, respectively, and the holding portions 256 and 257 retract from the front end portion and the rear end portion of the second disc 1b, so that the user can take out the second disc 1b. At this time, the left detection hole 55
Of the a to 55f, the second detection hole 55g from the bottom is the first
It is configured to be closed by the longitudinal portion 231 of the pressing lever 252.

Therefore, for example, if the second disk 1b is 2
When the trays 33 are stacked, when the tray 33 starts the closing operation and the first holding lever 252 starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the upper holding second stacking portion including the two front holding portions 256 is stacked.
The edge of the disc 1b is pushed toward the second holding lever 253 side.
At this time, as will be described later, the second holding lever 253 has not moved yet. The upper two discs 1b, which are stacked, contact the rear holding portion 6257 of the second pressing lever 253 by being pushed by the front holding portion 256. As a result, the movement of the first pressing lever 252 stops and the tray 33 moves in the closing direction while the detection hole 55e is closed. By utilizing this, it is possible to detect the overlapping of the two second disks 1b as described later.

When the tray 33 is closed, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the contact protrusion 23 of the first pressing lever 252
2 is a horizontal portion 1 on the front side of the triangular protrusion 115 of the tray 33.
The first pressing lever 252 rotates in the counterclockwise direction by coming into contact with 15b. At this time, the locking portion 233 of the first pressing lever 252 is locked by the locking projection 2 of the second disc holder 25b.
It is fitted into 34 and locked. After this, the contact protrusion 23
2 is guided by the horizontal portion 115b and moves backward along the linear portion 115a of the triangular protrusion 115.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 39, when the tray 33 and the second disc holder 25b are moved rearward by a predetermined distance, the abutment leg portion 241 of the second pressing lever 253 bends the rear end of the lever guide portion 100. The second holding lever 253 moves clockwise along the section and rotates clockwise. Then, the second disc holder 25b is attached to the stocker 22.
Immediately before being stored in, the guide plate portion 242 and the stocker bottom surface groove 243 or the lever groove portion 56 are substantially parallel to each other, as indicated by a chain double-dashed line in the figure. After this, the contact foot 2
41 moves along the inner surface side of the stocker 22,
The guide plate portion 242 is again inserted into the stocker bottom surface groove 243.

As described above, when the tray 33 is closed, the first holding lever 252 rotates first, the front holding portion 256 covers the front end portion of the second disc 1b, and then the second holding lever 253 rotates. , Rear holding portion 257
Covers the rear end of the second disk 1b. This is for the following reason.

That is, when the tray 33 is closed,
The second disk 1b placed on the second disk holder 25b is moving backward. At this time, the rear holding portion 257 of the second holding lever 253 holding the rear end portion of the second disc 1b is moved first, or the rear holding portion 257 and the front holding portion 256 of the first holding lever 252 are simultaneously moved to the first holding portion 256. When the second disk 1b is lifted without being pressed when moved to the side of the second disk 1b, the rear holding portion 257 moves in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the second disk 1b.
However, there is a possibility that the second disc 1b may be damaged due to collision with the outer peripheral surface of the second disc 1b and generation of large energy.

Therefore, the first holding lever 252 is first rotated to cover the second disc 1b with the front side holding portion 257 which moves in the same direction as the moving direction of the second disc 1b. Even if the holding portion 257 collides, its energy is relatively small, so
It is possible to prevent the second disc 1b from being damaged.

As described with reference to FIG. 37, when the second disc holder 25b is stored in the stocker 22, the holding portions 256 and 257 of the holding levers 252 and 253 hold the second disc 1b at a predetermined position. Therefore, even if vibration or shock is applied, it will not be displaced or fall out.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the front holding portion 35a
A triangular protrusion 115 and an abutting portion 113 are also formed on the left side edge of the pressing lever guide portion 100.
Since each of the holding levers 252 and 253 is provided, the pressing levers 252 and 253 are rotated during disc playback as in the case of opening and closing the tray.
Then, when the second disc 1b is conveyed to the reproduction position, the pressing levers 252 and 253 are moved to the second disc 1b.
b from the top of the second disk 1 as shown in FIG.
b is clamped by the turntable 182 and the clamper 230.

As described above, the second disc 1b having a diameter of 8 cm is placed on the second disc holder 25b by the front and rear holding levers 252 and 253 while being stored in the stocker 22 or during movement. Since it is held by the second disc holder 25b, it is possible to prevent the second disc holder 25b from falling off or being displaced even when shake or impact is applied. These holding levers 252, 253
A pressing means similar to the above is used for the first disk 1 having a diameter of 12 cm.
It can also be attached to the first disk holder 25a dedicated to a.

Now, this disc autochanger 20
By using the first disc holder 25a or the second disc holder 25b as described below.
It is possible to detect the presence or absence of the disc 1a or the second disc 1b, a positional deviation, or an abnormality such as two-layer stacking.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the first disc holder 25a dedicated to the first disc 1a having a diameter of 12 cm includes:
Eleven detection holes 55a to 55k are provided. Six of the detection holes 55a to 55f are arranged vertically in a line to the left of the center, and the remaining five detection holes 55g to 55k are arranged vertically in a line to the right of the center. On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 34, the second disc dedicated to the second disc 1b having a diameter of 8 cm is used.
The disc holder 25b also includes the first disc holder 25a.
Detection holes 55a to 55k are provided at the same positions as.

As described with reference to FIG. 5, each disk holder 2 is attached to the disk mounting portion 40 of the cabinet 21.
Detection holes 55a to 55f on the left side of the centers of 5a and 25b
The sensor 86L is arranged at a position where the detection hole 55m of the tray 33 passes, and at the position where the detection holes 55g to 55k on the right side of the center of each disc holder 25a, 25b and the detection hole 55n on the right side of the tray 33 pass. The sensor 86R is arranged.

Then, as shown in FIG. 42, a sensor 86 is provided above the disk mounting portion 40 of the cabinet 21.
The light emitters 260L and 260R are attached corresponding to L and 86R. Further, as shown in FIG. 43, the tray 3
A plate-shaped timing lever 261 is rotatably attached to the right side surface of the unit 3 by a rotary shaft 264 and is biased counterclockwise by, for example, a tension spring 509. A tray contact portion 262 is formed so as to project inward at the upper end of the timing lever 261, and a switch pressing portion 263 is formed so as to project inward at the lower end of the timing lever 261. The switch pressing portion 263 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the contact 266 of the tray detection switch 265 such as a push switch.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 44, the lever sliding surface 269 provided on the right side surface of the tray 33 is provided with three timing grooves 271a, 271b and 271c at predetermined intervals. When the tray 33 is closed, the frontmost timing groove 271a corresponds to the tray contact portion 262 of the timing lever 261. At this time, the switch pressing portion 263 of the timing lever 261.
However, the tray detection switch 265 is separated from the tray detection switch 265 (FIG. 43), and the tray detection switch 265 is turned off. Similarly, when the other timing grooves 271b and 271c correspond to the switch pressing portion 263, the tray detection switch 265 is turned off, and otherwise the tray detection switch 265 is turned on.

The state of the tray detection switch 265,
Detection holes 55a to 55 by the above-described sensors 86L and 86R
Depending on the detection state of k, the presence / absence of a disc, positional deviation, or two-layer stacking is detected as described below.

As shown in FIG. 45, when the tray 33 is open, the tray contact portion 262 of the timing lever 261 is inserted into the timing groove 271c at the rearmost portion. Therefore, the tray detection switch 265 is off. When the user places the first disc 1a on the first disc holder 25a and then the tray 33 starts closing, the tray contact portion 262 of the timing lever 261 moves from the timing groove 271c to the lever sliding surface 269. To do. As a result, the timing lever 261 (FIG. 43) rotates clockwise against the biasing force of the tension spring 509, and the tray detection switch 265 is turned on. The detection signal of the tray detection switch 265 is sent to the control unit 36 (FIG. 1), and the disc discrimination operation described below is started.

When the tray 33 starts to close from the open state, as described above, the pull-out lever 121
By the operation of (FIG. 14), the first disc holder 25a
Also moves backward at the same time. At this time, the first disc holder 25a moves at a speed approximately twice that of the tray 33, and
6, the detection hole 55 of the first disc holder 25a
a to 55f and 55g to 55kg pass on the sensors 86L and 86R before the detection holes 55m and 55n of the tray 33.

In the disc discriminating operation, the light emitter 26
Light is emitted from 0L and 260R (FIG. 42), and when the detection holes 55a to 55k of the first disc holder 25a pass over the sensors 86L and 86R, the light emitters 260L and 260L,
Light emission of 260R is detected by the sensors 86L and 86R. Then, as shown in FIG. 47, immediately before the tray 33 is completely closed, the rear end of the first disc holder 25a passes over the detection holes 55m and 55n of the tray 33, and then the tray 33 is detected. When the holes 55m and 55n pass over the sensors 86L and 86R, the light emitted from the light emitters 260L and 260R is detected by the sensors 86L and 86R.

Tray contact portion 2 of timing lever 261
When 62 (FIG. 45) passes through the timing groove 271b, the tray detection switch 265 is detected to be off. Then, the detection holes 55m and 55n of the tray 33 pass above the sensor 86R. As a result, the control unit 36
(FIG. 1) determines that all the detection holes 55a to 55n have passed, and based on the light emission detection results of the sensors 86L and 86R, the presence / absence of each of the disks 1a and 1b, the positional deviation, or 2
Judgment of stacking sheets.

Next, the tray contact portion 262 (FIG. 44) of the timing lever 261 rides on the lever sliding surface 269 until the tray 33 moves backward and is completely closed. 265 is turned on. During this period, the determination process of the control unit 36 is performed. When the tray 33 is completely closed, the tray contact portion 262 of the timing lever 261 is opened.
Is inserted into the timing groove 271a, and the tray detection switch 265 is turned off. As a result, the control unit 36
The disc discriminating operation of is finished.

Each disk holder 25a, 25b has one
There is one detection hole 55a to 55k, and the tray 33 has 2
Since the individual detection holes 55m and 55n are provided, when the first disk 1a or the second disk 1b is not mounted on the first disk holder 25a, both sensors 86L and 8n are provided.
A total of 13 detection signals are sent from the 6R and are supplied to the control unit 36.

On the other hand, the first disc 1a or the second disc 1a
When the disk 1b is placed, any of the detection holes 55a to 55n among the detection holes 55a to 55n is closed according to the size and position of the disk, so that the detection holes 55a to 55n. Sensor 86 for detecting light that has passed through
From the detection signals of L and 86R, it is possible to detect the presence / absence of each of the disks 1a and 1b, the positional deviation, or the stacking of two disks.

Here, it is assumed that the control unit has already detected or stored which of the first disc 1a and the second disc 1b is on the tray 33.

FIG. 48 shows a disc detection signal when the first disc holder 25a (FIG. 2) is used, and FIGS. 49 and 50 show a disc detection signal when the second disc holder 25b (FIG. 34) is used.

FIG. 48A shows a case where the disks 1a and 1b are not on the first disk holder 25a. In this case, all the detection holes 55a to 55n are detected, whereby the control unit 36 determines that the disks 1a and 1b are absent and holds the tray 33 in the closed state. It should be noted that FIG. 6D shows a detection signal of the tray detection switch 265.

FIG. 16B shows the first disc holder 25a.
Shows the case where the first disk 1a having a diameter of 12 cm is normally placed. In this case, the first disc holder 25a
Since all the detection holes 55a to 55k of the tray 3 are closed, the tray 3
Only the three detection holes 55m and 55n are detected. Also in this case, the tray 33 is held in the closed state.

FIG. 15C shows a case where two first discs 1a are stacked on the first disc holder 25a due to an erroneous operation by the user. In this case, all the detection holes 55a to 55k of the first disc holder 25a are closed by the lower first disc 1a, and the lower first disc 1a moves into the stocker 22 according to the closing operation of the tray 33. Although it operates so as to be housed, the upper first disk 1a has the locking projection 501 and the upper inclined surface 503 as shown in FIG.
Remains on the tray 33 by the
m and 55n pass over the sensors 86L and 86R while being blocked. In this case, the control unit 36 causes the first disc 1a
Then, the tray 33 is opened and the tray 33 is opened.
In this way, the tray 33 is reopened before it is completely closed, so that the disc is re-opened as described above.
Since the tray 33 is opened in a state where the sheets are stacked,
The user can remove the upper first disc 1a.

FIG. 49A shows the second disc holder 25.
The case where there is no disk 1a, 1b in b is shown. In this case, each disc 1a, 1b is attached to the first disc holder 25a.
As in the case where there is no sheet, all the detection holes 55a to 55n are detected, and the tray 33 is held in the closed state. It should be noted that FIG. 6D shows a detection signal of the tray detection switch 265.

FIG. 16B shows the second disc holder 25b.
Shows the case where the second disk 1b is normally placed. In this case, the detection holes 55a, 55b, 55e on the outer side of the disc mounting portion 251 of the second disc holder 25b,
55f, 55g, 55k are detected, and the detection holes 55m, 55n of the tray 33 are also detected. In this case also, the tray 33 is held in the closed state.

FIG. 13C shows a case where the first disc 1a is placed on the second disc holder 25b due to an erroneous operation by the user. In this case, a signal similar to that of FIG. 48B is obtained, but since the second disc holder 1b is placed on the tray 33, it is determined to be in an abnormal state. In this case, the tray 33 is opened and the user can take out the first disc 1a.

FIG. 50 (E) shows a case where one second disk 1b is placed on the second disk holder 25b due to an erroneous operation by the user, and this is displaced to the right. In this case, the second detection hole 55h from the top and the second detection hole 55j from the bottom among the detection holes 55g to 55k on the right side are the second detection holes.
It is closed by the non-transparent portion 507 (FIG. 3) of the disc 1b. In this case, the tray 33 is opened, and the user can put the second disc 1b back in the correct position.

FIG. 16F shows a case where two second discs 1b are placed on the second disc holder 25b in an overlapping manner by a user's erroneous operation. In this case, as described in FIG. 40, the second detection hole 55e from the bottom on the left side is the first detection hole 55e.
It is blocked by the pressing lever 252 and is not detected. Other than that, it is the same as the case where the second disc 1b in FIG. 49B is normally placed. Also in this case, the tray 33 is opened, and the user can take out the upper second disk 1b.

As described above, the disc autochanger 20 of the present invention can detect the presence / absence of each disc 1a, 1b, the positional deviation, or the stacking of two discs by the disc detection signals of the sensors 86L, 86R. Can open the tray 33 and prompt the user to return to a normal state. As a result, the disks 1a, 1
It is possible to prevent b from being caught inside and causing a failure.

Next, this disc autochanger 20
The initialization operation of will be described. The initialization operation is performed, for example, when power is not supplied due to a power failure during each process, or when it is impossible to determine which operation state the disk autochanger 20 is in. Power is supplied to the stocker drive motor 151 of the disc auto changer 20 via a charging device such as a capacitor. For example, while the stocker 22 is moving, the cam follower 62 causes the inclined portion 23a of the stocker moving cam 23 to move.
In this case, even if the power supply to the disc auto changer 20 is stopped due to a power failure or the like, the cam follower 62 is always stopped at the horizontal portion 23b of the stocker moving cam 23 by the supply from the charging device.

Therefore, even when the disc autochanger 20 cannot determine in which operating state the power supply is stopped due to a power failure or the like, the disc holder 25 in the stocker 22 cannot be discriminated by the tray 33 or the reproducing unit 34 in the stocker 22.
Stop at the position corresponding to. Since the disc holder 25 may be stopped between the stocker 22 and the tray 33, or the disc holder 25 may be stopped between the stocker 22 and the playback position, when the power is turned on again, First, the disc holder 2 in the tray 33
5 is stored in the stocker 22 and the disk holder 25 corresponding to the reproduction position is arranged at the reproduction position to move the stocker 22 up and down.

Next, the operation of storing the disc holder 25 in the stocker 22 from the reproduction position is performed, and then the TOC (Ta
bleOf Contents) Reads information. In this case, if there is no disc 1 in the first stage, the reading operation is performed on the disc 1 in the next stage. Similarly, the presence / absence of the disc 1 on each shelf is confirmed, and the disc 1 at the uppermost stage is clamped by the reproducing unit 34 and stands by. This is because the reproduction process can be executed fastest when the user specifies the reproduction mode. Disk 1 in stocker 22
If there is not, the disc holder 25 of the first stage is placed at the reproducing position and the reproducing unit 34 stands by in a raised state. In either case, the stocker 22 is arranged at the bottom when the reproducing unit 34 is raised. This is because the stocker 22 is most stable when it is arranged at the bottom.

51 to 55 show a flowchart of the initialization processing 600 of the disc autochanger 20. In this initialization processing 600, first, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on (step 601), then whether the stocker detection switch 520 (FIG. 1) is turned on or not,
That is, it is determined whether the stocker 22 is at the bottom (step 602). Stocker detection switch 520
If is ON, then the tray drive motor 5 (FIG. 5) is rotated in the tray closing direction for a fixed time (step 603).

Next, the tray detection switch 265 (see FIG.
It is determined whether or not 3) is off for a certain time or more (step 6).
04), if it is off, the tray drive motor 521 is stopped next (step 605). If it is determined in step 604 that the tray 33 has not been turned off for a certain period of time, it is determined that the tray 33 is stopped for some reason while it is being closed, and abnormal processing, such as an alarm or an abnormal display, is performed (step). 606).

In step 605, the tray drive motor 524
Is stopped, next, the loading motor 203
(FIG. 23) is rotated in the disc clamp direction for a certain period of time (step 607), and it is determined whether the disc holder detection switch 523 (FIG. 23) has changed from ON to OFF (step 608). ).

When it is determined in step 608 that there has been a change from on to off, that is, the disc holder 25 is placed at the playback position, the playback section 34 is raised, and playback is ready. Next, the loading motor 203 is stopped as shown in FIG. 52 (step 609). If it is determined in step 608 that there is no change from on to off, then it is determined whether or not the disc holder detection switch 523 is off for a predetermined time, that is, the disc holder 25 is placed in the reproducing section 34 from the beginning. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step 610), and if it is determined that it has been off for a predetermined time, then the loading motor 203 is stopped at step 609.

The reason why the loading motor 203 is rotated in the disc clamp direction in step 607 is as follows. If the loading motor 203 is rotated in the disc unclamping direction in step 607,
The following actions must be performed. That is, even when the disc holder 25 is present in the reproducing unit 34, when the disc holder 25 is already stored in the stocker 22 at the position where the disc holder 25 is about to move, the reproducing unit is operated by the disc holder detection switch 523. Since the movement of the disc holder 25 of the disc 34 is detected, the loading motor 203 is rotated in the reverse direction (disc clamp direction), and the disc holder detection switch 523 detects the clamp of the reproducing unit 34, which requires a complicated operation. is there.

If it is determined in step 610 that the switch has not been turned off for the predetermined time, it means that the switch has been turned on from the beginning, and the dual-purpose gear 201 does not rotate for some reason, or the disc holder detection switch 523 is turned off. In the case of a failure or the like, next, an abnormal process is performed in step 606.

At Step 609, the loading motor 2
03 is stopped, the stocker detection switch 520
Is ON, that is, it is determined whether the stocker 22 is arranged at the bottom (step 611). If it is determined that the stocker detection switch 520 is on, then the stocker drive motor 151 is rotated in the stocker upward direction (step 612), and then the stocker detection switch 5 is turned on.
It is determined whether the 20 is turned off (step 61).
3). When it is determined that the stocker detection switch 520 is not turned off, the stocker 22 does not rise for some reason, and in this case, the abnormality process is performed in step 606.

If it is determined in step 613 that the stocker detection switch 520 is off, then the stocker drive motor 151 is rotated in the stocker descending direction (step 614). If it is determined in step 611 that the stocker detection switch 520 is not turned on, this means that the stocker 22 is not at the bottom, and in this case, in step 614, the stocker drive motor 15
Rotate 1 in the stocker descending direction.

In step 614, the stocker drive motor 15
1 is rotated in the stocker descending direction, it is next determined whether or not the stocker detection switch 520 is on (step 615), and if it is on, then the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 (see FIG. 20). ) Is on (step 616). If it is determined in step 615 that the stocker detection switch 520 is not on,
In step 616, the stocker reference position detection sensor 163
If it is determined that is not on, it means that there is some abnormality, and then in step 606, abnormality processing is performed.

If it is determined in step 616 that the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is on, the stocker drive motor 151 is rotated in the stocker upward direction (step 617), and then the stocker reference position detection sensor is detected. It is determined whether the rising edge of the signal 163 is detected (step 618). This is performed in order to accurately determine the reference position of the stocker 22 by detecting the rise of the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 for a relatively long period of time. If it is determined that the rising edge is not detected, it means that there is some abnormality, and then step 6
At 06, abnormal processing is performed.

If it is determined in step 618 that the rising of the ON signal of the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is detected, then the stocker drive motor 151 is stopped (step 619). Then, the loading motor 203 is rotated in the disc unclamping direction (step 620). Next, it is determined whether or not the disc holder detection switch 523 has changed from off to on (step 621). If it is determined that there has been a change from off to on, then this disc holder detection switch 523 is next. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a change from on to off (step 622). Step 622
When it is determined that there is no change from ON to OFF in the case where the dual-purpose gear 201 does not rotate midway, or the like, in this case, an abnormal process is next performed in step 606.

If it is determined in step 622 that the disc holder detection switch 523 has changed from on to off, then the loading motor 203 is stopped (step 623), and as shown in FIG. Disc holder 2 from the stocker 22 to the Nth stage, here the first stage
5 is transported to the playback position, and the TOC (Table
Of Contents) Information is read (step 6)
24). Then, it is determined whether or not TOC information is present (step 625), and if it is determined that TOC information is present, it is in a standby state as it is (step 62).
6) Then, this initialization processing 600 ends.

If it is determined in step 602 that the stocker detection switch 520 is not on, that is, the stocker 22 is not at the bottom, then the tray drive motor 524 is rotated in the tray open direction (step 627). ), And then it is determined whether or not the tray detection switch 265 is off for a predetermined time or longer (step 628). If it is determined that the power switch has not been turned off for a certain period of time or more, the abnormality process is performed in step 606.

At step 628, the tray detection switch 2
If it is determined that 65 is off for a certain period of time or more, then the tray drive motor 524 is rotated in the tray close direction (step 629), and then the disc detection signal (FIGS. 48 to 50) is normal or not. That is, it is determined whether or not the disc 1 is displaced or the two discs are overlapped (step 630). If it is determined here that the disc detection signal indicates an abnormality, abnormality processing is performed in step 606.

If it is determined in step 630 that the disc detection signal is normal, then the tray detection switch 2
It is determined whether 65 is off, that is, whether the tray 33 is closed (step 631), and when it is determined that it is not off, that is, the tray 33 is not closed, step 606. Abnormal processing is performed at. In step 631, the tray detection switch 26
5 is turned off, that is, when it is determined that the tray 33 is closed, the tray drive motor 524 is stopped next (step 632), and then in step 607 the loading motor 203 causes the loading motor 203 to perform the disc operation. It is rotated in the clamp direction, and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed.

If it is determined in step 622 that the disc holder detection switch 523 has not changed from on to off, then the disc holder detection switch 523 is turned on for a predetermined time as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not (step 633). Here, when it is determined that the disc holder detection switch 523 is on for the predetermined time, another disc holder 25 is already stored in the shelf corresponding to the reproduction position of the stocker 22. In this case, next, the loading motor 203 is rotated in the disc clamp direction (step 634), and then the disc holder detection switch 523.
It is determined whether or not there is a change from ON to OFF (step 635).

If it is determined in step 635 that there is no change from on to off, an abnormality process is performed in step 606. If it is determined in step 635 that there has been a change from ON to OFF, that is, if it is determined that the disc holder 25 has been transported to the playback position and the playback unit 34 has risen, then the loading motor is next loaded. 203 is stopped (step 636), and then the stocker drive motor 151 is rotated in the stocker rising direction (step 637).

Next, the stocker reference position detecting sensor 16
It is determined whether or not 3 is turned on (step 638). If it is determined that it is not turned on here, then an abnormality process is performed in step 606. When it is determined in step 638 that the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is turned on, the stocker drive motor 151 is then rotated in the stocker descending direction (step 639), and then the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is turned on. It is determined whether the rising edge of the signal is detected (step 640).
Here, if the rising edge of the ON signal is not detected, then an abnormality process is performed in step 606.

If it is determined in step 640 that the rising of the ON signal is detected, then the stocker drive motor 151 is stopped (step 641), and then the loading motor 203 is rotated in the disc unclamping direction. (Step 642). Next, it is judged whether or not the disc holder detection switch 523 has changed from off to on (step 643). If there is a change from off to on, then the disc holder detection switch 523 is instructed to It is determined whether or not there is a change from on to off (step 644).

If it is determined in step 643 that the disc holder detection switch 523 has not changed from off to on and that it has been determined in step 644 that there has not been change from on to off, an abnormality is detected in step 606. Processing is performed. If it is determined in step 644 that there has been a change from on to off, it means that the disc holder 25 in the reproducing section 34 has been stored in the stocker 22. Next, the loading motor 203 is stopped (step 645). Now all disc holders 2
5 is stored in the stocker 22.

The lowermost disk tray 25 is the tray 33.
When the initialization operation starts at the position corresponding to, the stocker detection switch 520 is turned on even though the disc holder 25 is not pulled into the reproducing unit 34 because the disc holder 25 is not present at the position corresponding to the reproducing unit 34. , The off signal is generated, and the same state as when the disc holder 25 is pulled into the reproducing portion is brought about. Then, it is detected that the disc holders 25 are stored in all seven positions of the stocker 22, and the reproducing unit 34 has no disc holders. In this case, the stocker 22 is raised by one more step, the loading motor 203 is rotated in that position in the disc unclamping direction, and the disc holder 25, which is not actually in the reproducing section 34, is stored in the stocker 22. By doing so, it is determined that the disc holders 25 have been stored in all the stockers 22.

Subsequently, the stocker drive motor 151 is rotated in the stocker descending direction (step 646), and then it is determined whether the stocker detection switch 520 is on (step 647). Here, the stocker detection switch 5
If it is determined that the sensor 20 is on, then it is determined whether the stocker reference position detecting sensor 163 is on (step 648).

In step 647, the stocker detection switch 5
If it is determined that 20 is not turned on, step 64
If it is determined in step 8 that the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is not on, then an abnormality process is performed in step 606. If it is determined in step 648 that the stocker reference position detecting sensor 163 is turned on, then the process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the stocker drive motor 151 is reversely rotated in the stocker upward direction (step 649), and subsequently it is determined whether or not the rise of the ON signal of the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is detected (step 65).
0). Here, if the rising edge of the ON signal is not detected, then an abnormality process is performed in step 606.

When the rising of the ON signal of the stocker reference position detection sensor 163 is detected in step 650, the stocker drive motor 151 is stopped next (step 651), and then in step 624 (FIG. 53). The disc holder 25 of the first stage 22 is conveyed to the reproducing position, the TOC information of the disc 1 is read, and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed.

As shown in FIG. 53, at step 625, T
If it is determined that there is no OC information, then the disc holder 25 is returned into the stocker 22 (step 652),
Next, the stocker 22 is raised by one step (step 6).
53). Then N is incremented by 1 (step 654),
Subsequently, the disc holder 25 of the Nth stage is conveyed from the stocker 22 to the reproducing position, and the TOC information of the disc 1 is read (step 655).

Next, it is judged whether or not the TOC information is present (step 656). If the TOC information is present, the standby state is left as it is in step 626, and the initialization process 6 is performed.
00 ends. If it is determined in step 656 that there is no TOC information, then it is determined whether N is "6" (step 657). That is, here, the disc 1 from which the TOC information was read in step 655
However, it is determined whether or not the stocker has been stored in the 7th stage which is the final stage of the stocker 22.

If it is determined in step 657 that N is not "6", then in step 652 the disc holder 25 is returned into the stocker 22, and the same processing as described above is performed. When it is determined in step 657 that N is “6”, the disc holder 25 is next moved to the stocker 22.
(Step 658). Next, the stocker 22 is placed at the reference position (step 659), and then the first-stage disc holder 25 of the stocker 22 is transported to the reproduction position (step 660). Next, each unit enters a standby state (step 661), and the initialization processing 600 ends therewith.

As described above, in this disc autochanger 20, the tray detection switch 265 detects whether the tray 33 is open or closed, and the stocker 22 is operated.
Position detection is performed by the stocker detection switch 520 and the stocker reference position detection sensor 163, and the clamp state of the disc 1 is detected by the disc holder detection switch 523, and the number of detection switches and sensors is reduced. It can be simplified.

Next, the operation in the reproduction mode will be described. In the reproduction mode, as shown in FIG. 56, the disc number, for example, number 3 is designated by the user in the standby state where the stocker 22 is at the reference position. Then, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the stocker 22 is lifted and the designated third rack is arranged at a position corresponding to the reproduction position, and the disc holder 25 stored in the third rack is transported to the reproduction position. As shown at 58, the reproducing unit 34 rises and the disc 1 is clamped. Next, the stocker 22 is arranged at the lowermost portion, and then the disc 1 is rotated to perform the reproducing process.

When the disc change mode is designated during the reproduction of the disc 1, the stocker 22 is raised and the shelf designated for change is arranged at a position corresponding to the tray 33. Then, the tray 33 is opened and the disc 1 is placed on the disc holder 25 exposed to the outside,
After that, the tray 33 is closed and the disc holder 25
When is stored in the stocker 22, the stocker 22 descends and is placed at the bottom. This operation is performed while the disc 1 is being reproduced.

As described above, in the disc autochanger 20 of the present invention, in the reproducing mode, the stocker 22 is arranged at the most stable lowermost portion except during the period in which the disc changing process is performed, so that vibration and shock are generated. It is possible to prevent the stocker 22 from dropping and damaging the stocker 22, the disk 1, or the like even if the stocker 22 is applied.

In the above embodiment, the first 12 cm
The case where the disc 1a and the second disc 1b of 8 cm are placed and used on the dedicated first disc holder 25a and the second disc holder 25b respectively has been described. When it is not necessary to hold down the two discs 1b, for example, FIG.
It is also possible to use a shared third disc holder 25c capable of selectively mounting either the first disc 1a or the second disc 1b as shown in FIG.

The third disc holder 25c has a disc mounting portion 25 for mounting the second disc 1b at the center of the disc mounting portion 41 of the first disc holder 25a (FIG. 2).
The disk mounting portion 251 for the second disk 1b is lower than the disk mounting portion 41 for the first disk 1a. Other than that, since it is the same as the first disk holder 25a, the description is omitted.

[0195]

As described above, the automatic changer of the present invention is designed so that when the tray means is housed in the housing means with a plurality of recording media stacked on the tray means at the external take-out position, The holding means for holding the recording medium above the lowest recording medium on the means is provided in the moving means.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the user accidentally places two recording media on the tray means in an overlapping manner, the upper recording medium is held by the holding means and does not drop. As a result, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from entering the gaps between the respective parts and causing various troubles.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a disc autochanger 20 to which an autochanger according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a stocker 22 and a first disc holder 25a dedicated to 12 cm.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an 8 cm second disc 1b.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the shape of a leaf spring 65.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1;

7 is a top view showing the shape of the tray 33. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a top view showing the shape of a pull-out lever 121.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an opening operation (1/2) of the tray 33.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an engaged state of the drawer holder 21 and the disc holder 25a when the tray is opened.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an opening operation (2/2) of the tray 33.

FIG. 14 is a top view showing a state in which the opening operation of the tray 33 is completed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an engaged state of the pull-out lever 21 and the disc holder 25a when the tray is closed.

16 is a side view of the stocker moving cam 23. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG.

19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

20 is a sectional view taken along line HH of FIG.

21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a meshing state of each fixed gear 183, 184 and the rack 47.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the fixed gears 183 and 184 before the start of the transport operation.
It is a figure which shows the state of and its drive means.

FIG. 24 is a view on arrow K in FIG. 23.

25 is a sectional view taken along line LL in FIG.

26 is a sectional view taken along line MM in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a transportation operation of the first disc holder 25a (1
/ 2).

FIG. 28 is a transportation operation of the first disc holder 25a (2
/ 2).

FIG. 29 is a top view showing the completed state of the transport operation of the first disc holder 25a.

FIG. 30 is a top view showing the state of each gear at the completion of the carrying operation.

FIG. 31 is a top view showing the state of each gear when the raising operation of the reproducing section is completed.

32 is a sectional view taken along line NN of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the raising operation of the reproducing section 34 is completed.

FIG. 34 is a configuration diagram of a second disc holder 25b.

FIG. 35 is a top view showing the shape of a first pressing lever 252.

FIG. 36 is a top view showing the shape of a second pressing lever 253.

[Fig. 37] Each pressing lever 25 when the disc is stored
It is a top view which shows the state of 2,253.

FIG. 38 is a first holding lever 252 when the tray is opened.
6 is a top view showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 39 is a top view showing the rotation of the second pressing lever 253.

FIG. 40 is a top view showing a state of the pressing levers 252 and 253 when the opening of the tray 33 is completed.

FIG. 41 is a top view showing the rotation of the first pressing lever 252 during the tray closing operation.

42 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line P-P of FIG.

43 is a QQ sectional view of FIG. 8. FIG.

44 is a sectional view taken along line RR of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45: Timing lever 261 when tray is opened
It is a figure which shows operation | movement.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a discriminating operation (1/2) of the disc 1.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a discriminating operation (2/2) of the disc 1.

FIG. 48 is a waveform diagram of a disc detection signal when the first disc holder 25a (12 cm disc only) is used.

FIG. 49 is a waveform diagram of a disc detection signal (1/2) when the second disc holder 25b (8 cm disc only) is used.

FIG. 50 is a waveform diagram of a disc detection signal (2/2) when the second disc holder 25b (8 cm disc only) is used.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a procedure (1/5) of the initialization operation.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a procedure (2/5) of the initialization operation.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a procedure (3/5) of the initialization operation.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a procedure (4/5) of the initialization operation.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a procedure (5/5) of the initialization operation.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a procedure (1/3) in the reproduction mode.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a procedure (2/3) in the reproduction mode.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a procedure (3/3) in the reproduction mode.

FIG. 59 is a configuration diagram of a shared third disc holder 25c.

FIG. 60 is a configuration diagram of a conventional disc auto changer 10.

[Fig. 61] Fig. 61 is a diagram showing a procedure of a disc storing and reproducing operation of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Disc 1a First Disc 1b Second Disc 20 Disc Auto Changer 21 Cabinet 22 Stocker 25 Disc Holder 25a First Disc Holder 25b Second Disc Holder 25c Third Disc Holder 33 Tray 34 Playback Section 36 Control Section 40a Returning Recess 47a Stopper 55a ˜55n Detection hole 86L, 86R Sensor 121 Drawer lever 163 Stocker reference position detection sensor 201 Combined gear 252 First holding lever 253 Second holding lever 265 Tray detection switch 501 Locking projection 502 Tapered rib 510 Circular rib 521 Stocker detection switch 523 Disc holder detection switch 531 Circular cam

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Tomoki Takahashi 1-21-1 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo Aiwa Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A movable tray means for placing a recording medium, a storage means for storing the tray means and the recording medium, and the tray means between the storage means and an external ejection position of the recording medium. When the tray means is stored in the storage means in a state in which a plurality of the recording media are placed on the tray means at the external take-out position, the moving means is on the tray means. An automatic changer, comprising: holding means provided on the moving means for holding the recording medium above the recording medium at the bottom.