JPS60251574A - Recording disk storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stop misinsertion into a conventional reproducing device in its middle and prevent a fault of the device and the breakage of a disk by providing a projection to the flank of a small-sized disk storage container and inhibiting the container from being inserted by more than specific distance. CONSTITUTION:The case 2 is passed through an insertion slit and then spread by a case spreading mechanism 60, the disk diameter is discriminated with a photoswitch 525, and a clamping mechanism 90 enter the case and moves in a direction X2 while clamping the lid 3 and disk 500. When the large-diameter or small- diameter disk 6 or a plate 500 abuts on a switch 513 or 514, the clamping mechanism 90 separates the lid 3 and disk and stops, and the disk is placed on a turntable for reproduction. The projection part 530 on the flank of the small- diameter case is detected with a switch 525 to discriminate the disk diameter, but even if this case is inserted into the conventional reproducing device, the projection part 530 inhibits the insertion in its middle, so the trouble of the device and breakage of the disk are prevented.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field This invention relates to a recording disc storage container that can store a disc-shaped recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a disc) and automatically reproduce it by inserting it into a reproducing device. (hereinafter referred to as a disk case).

Conventional configuration and problems There has been a conventional playback device 9 that can automatically play back by inserting a disk case into the device. However, even for short-time recording, disks with an unnecessarily large outer diameter had to be used, making the cost relatively high and hindering the popularization of video disks in the market.

Therefore, by simply inserting a disc case into the playback device, a disc from each disc case containing two or more discs of different diameters is automatically placed on the turntable and played. We have proposed a recording disc playback device that enables this.

However, for example, if a disk case containing a disk with a smaller diameter than a conventional disk is used in a conventional playback device such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 111158/1983,
As with the playback device proposed above, the structure is such that it is not possible to load a disk into the device by just inserting it slightly, and the structure does not allow complete loading of small-diameter disks. This may cause damage or malfunction of the playback device.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention provides that even if a user mistakenly inserts the disc case of the present invention containing a disc with a small diameter that cannot be used in the conventional playback device into a conventional playback device, the insertion will be interrupted midway and the device will be damaged. For playback devices that can prevent malfunctions and damage to discs and that can use the above-mentioned disc case, we provide a disc case that can determine the diameter of the stored disc as necessary. The purpose is to be a benevolent person.

Structure of the Invention The recording disc storage container of the present invention is a recording disc storage container used in a recording disc playback device in which a recording disc is automatically placed on a turntable by being inserted into a recording disc storage container insertion opening. a second recording disc having a smaller diameter than the first recording disc having a first diameter, and having the same frontage as a first recording disc storage container in which the first recording disc is stored; Further, a protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the recording disc storage container to prevent the recording disc storage container from being pushed further than a predetermined distance into the insertion opening.

Because of this configuration, even if a user accidentally inserts a disc case containing a disc with a small diameter that cannot be used in a conventional playback device into a playback device that is loaded by inserting the case all the way into the conventional case, the Since the protrusion is provided on the outer periphery, the disc cannot be inserted beyond a predetermined distance, which prevents device failure and disc damage. Further, if necessary, the disc case of the present invention may be configured such that the diameter of the disc is determined by the protrusion so that a detecting means (for example, a photocoupler, etc.) of the playback device can detect whether the diameter of the disc is the same as that of a conventional second diameter disc or the case is housed in the case. It is something that can be determined.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-30. First, an outline of a reproducing apparatus that can use the storage container of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained. As shown in FIG. 6, the playback device main body 60 includes a chassis 40, an exterior case 50a, a turntable 130, and an arm housing 120. The arm housing 120 is equipped with a reproducing head.

A fixed base 80 is fixed to the chassis 40, and a retaining member 62 serving as a case engaging means is attached to the fixed base 80 so as to be vertically movable. The fixed base 80 is further provided with a case expansion mechanism 60 for opening the opening of the case 2. The chassis 4o is provided with a movable base 91 that is movable in the front-rear direction (xl, x2 directions). A disk holding mechanism 90 and a latch member 99 are mounted on the movable base p1,
100 are provided, which constitute drawing means for drawing the disc 6.500 together with the lid 3,502 onto the turntable 130 from the case 2.501. The release mechanism 608 is supported by a pin 620 provided on the chassis 40 so as to be rotatable in the El and E2 directions. Next, I will explain the whole thing in detail.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show the configurations of disks of two different diameters and disk cases.

FIG. 1, (A, B), and (C9D) each have a diameter of L2. L
3 shows two types of discs. Inner diameter L1゜Wall thickness T1. T2 is the common outer diameter L2. Only L3 is different, L2)L3.

Next, I will explain the disc case and lid.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the state in which the disk 2 and disk 500 are housed, respectively. Comparing both cases, the width of the disk entrance LE is the same, but the depth is different LDl.
>LD2. In FIG. 4A, reference numeral 16 denotes a lip, which prevents the disk 6 from wobbling in the vertical direction within the case 2. As shown in FIG. Oite, 503 (1) in Figure 4B.
, 5osb are reps, and are used to restrict the lateral play of the disk 500 housed in the case 501. The protrusion 530 indicates the difference in disc diameter, and is a photo switch 62 provided on the player.
6 identifies the small diameter disk 500 by detecting this protrusion 530. Therefore, it is not provided in case 2. The lids 3 and 502 have the same function, except that the curvature of the portion facing the disk is different.

Further, the above-mentioned shaped portion 530 is a case 501 for a small diameter disk.
However, it also serves as a restricting means to prevent insertion into conventional players (in which the disc was pulled out semi-automatically by inserting the case deep into the player). I have compared both cases above, and the functions of the lid and case are the same.

Therefore, only the case 2 and the lid 3 will be explained here.
is provided. In Fig. 2, a rectangular disc case 1 is a disc case main body 2 (hereinafter referred to as the case).
and a lid 3 that is removably connected to an opening 7 provided on the front side of the case 2 in the insertion direction x1 into the device.

The case 2 and the lid 3 are made of styrene resin, for example. The interior of the case 2 is a flat disk storage space 5 over its entire width and length, and a disk 6 is stored in the space 6 between the two. This space 5 is in the insertion direction x1
One side is the opening 7, and the remaining three sides are closed. As shown in the figure, the case 2 includes a flat plate part 8 having groove-like recesses 17 on the left and right sides, and protruding parts 9, 10 along the three sides of the flat plate part 8.
It consists of 11 and more. An engagement hole 13 is formed in the center near the opening 7, into which a protrusion of the lid 3 (to be described later) engages, and on the left and right sides of the opening 7, there are retention holes 16 into which projections of the lid 3 engage. is formed.

The end of the lid 3 is provided with a flange portion 18 that closes the opening 7 of the case 2 when the lid 3 is securely fixed to the case 2.
In addition, a notch 19 is provided symmetrically about the center line l into which an expanding member, which will be described later, can enter.

A leaf spring 25 is further provided at the end of the lid 3 and has a protrusion 24 at its tip that engages with the aforementioned retaining hole 16 and fixes the lid 3 to the case 2 . The tip of the protrusion 24 is provided with an inclined portion 26 that engages with the release member of the lid 3. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the disc 6 and the lid 3 are assembled into the case 2, and the disc 6 is locked in the depth and width directions. Furthermore, since the lid 3 engages with the case 2 to close the opening 7, the disc 6 is housed inside the case 2 without falling out.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the lid 3, in which the shape of the side facing the disk 6 is formed, for example, into a circular arc with a gap at both ends larger than a gap a in the center. This is to ensure stable operation even if the relative positions of the lid 3 and the disk 6 are slightly shifted in the Z direction during a playback operation to be described later.

Of the above, FIG. 4B corresponds to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 and 6 show an apparatus in which the storage container of this embodiment can be used. FIG. 6 is an external view of the recording disc playback device, and as shown in the figure, the outer case 50 of the playback device main body 60 is
A case insertion opening 51 is provided at a. Reference numeral 525 is a photoswitch that detects a protrusion 530 provided on the case 501 that indicates a difference in the diameter of the disc, and detects that the small diameter disc 500 has been inserted. Figure 6A
-C shows the basic configuration of a recording disc reproducing apparatus, in which a disc 6 or 500 is placed and brought into a reproducing state. 131 is a center boss that centers the disc 6 or 600 placed on the turntable 130. Reference numeral 132 denotes a clamp, which holds the disc 6 or 50 placed on the turntable 13o.
0 is brought into pressure contact with the turntable 130. 4
o is a chassis, to which guides 52 and 53 for guiding the case 2 into the playback device main body 50 are fixed. Guide 5
2a and 53a are guide grooves thereof. A photoswitch 625 is provided on the guide 53 outside the structure 53a. Reference numeral 60 denotes a case expansion mechanism, which is fixed on the chassis 40' near the case insertion opening 61. Reference numeral 66 denotes an expansion member supported by the fixed base 80 so as to be movable up and down, and expands the case 2 or 501 with the support member 61 fixed to the fixed base 80. Fixed base 80 is fixed to chassis 40. The retaining member 62 is a fixed base 80
axis 74. It is rotatably supported by a bearing 63,
It functions to engage with the engagement hole 13 of the case 2 or 601. 90 is a disk holding mechanism. 95 is an upper clamp arm, which is formed integrally with the movable base 91. A lower clamp arm 96 is supported by a bearing 97 so as to be movable up and down, and the disc 6 is clamped between these arms. Reference numerals 99 and 100 are locking members, and pins 105
, 106, it is horizontally rotatably supported with respect to the movable base 91, and engages with the notch 19 of the lid 3 to lock the lid 3. A leaf spring 94 is attached to the movable base 91 at a position where it comes into contact with the lid 3.

Reference numerals 107 and 108 designate claw-shaped release members integrally formed with the movable base 91, which function to engage with the slope 26 of the protrusion 24 of the lid 3 to release the engagement between the lid 3 and the case 2.

The movable base 91 of the disk clamping mechanism 90 is connected to the rail 415
, 46, 47 to be movable in 9 front and rear directions (xl, x2 directions). The rail 45 has V grooves on both sides as shown in FIG. 6B, and a roller 92 rotatably provided on a movable base 91 is fitted into the V groove of the rail 46. Therefore, the disk holding mechanism 9o is attached to the rails 45, 46.
, 47. The movable base 91 is fixed to the belt 111 by a connecting piece. A belt 111 is placed between gears 112 and 113, and is driven by a motor 114 equipped with a speed reducer to transport the disk holding mechanism 9o. The movable base 91 is provided with a switch plate 515 (not shown in FIG. 6, see FIG. 7), and the switch plate 616 blocks the photoswitches 613 and 614 fixed to the chassis 40. It is configured to detect the position of the movable base 91.

In FIG. 6C, reference numeral 608 is a release mechanism that releases the disk holding mechanism 90 from holding the disk. The release mechanism 608 is composed of a slope 610, a block 509, and a rotating lever 511, and is moved by a pin 520 to E1. E
19 Rotating lever 61 supported rotatably in two directions
1 is connected to a lever 615 provided on the elevating mechanism 134 via a wire 512, and is configured to rotate in conjunction with the operation of the elevating mechanism.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an arm housing, which is supported by a rail 126° shaft 122 so as to be movable in the left and right directions (Yl, Y2 directions) on the turntable 130. Similarly to the disk holding mechanism 90, the arm housing 120 is also
The disc 6 is transported in parallel over the disc 6 placed on a turntable 130 by a motor 124 and a belt (not shown), and is configured to pick up the signal from the disc 6.

In FIG. 6C, 18o is a support that supports the disks, and shafts 181. It is supported by a bearing 182 so as to be able to move vertically (in the M12 and M2 directions). The support 18o is provided in two parts, left and right, as shown in the figure, and has a Y-shaped support 18o so as to hold the group guard 33 of the disc 6.
It is configured to be able to hold a larger area than the diameter of the group guard 33 of the disk 6 in the 1 and Y2 directions (see FIG. 6A). Further, the support 18o is configured to be in a state below the turntable 130 and a state in which it can protrude above the turntable 130' and support the disc 6 held by the disc holding mechanism 90.

Reference numeral 134 denotes a disk elevating mechanism, which is constructed as follows. The lift arm 142 is supported by a shaft 141 and a bearing 138 so as to be vertically movable. By rotating the lift arm 142, the lift ring 136 supported by the lift arm 142 is raised and lowered, and the mounting ring 1 fixed to the lift ring 135 is moved up and down.
33, the disc 6 is raised and lowered between a state where it is supported above the turntable 130 and a state where it is placed on the turntable 130.

160 is a cam unit, which includes the above-mentioned support 18o,
Disc lifting mechanism 134. It drives the case expansion mechanism 60. The cam 161 is horizontally rotatably supported by a shaft 176, and is configured to rotate by the power of a cam drive motor 165 via a worm 166. 162 is a lever, shirt) 179. Bearing 1
63 for horizontal rotation, and is biased by a spring 172 in the Pl direction. The levers 167.168 each have a shaft 178. It is rotatably supported by bearings 170 and 171. Each lever 162, 167
, 168 are interlocked with the cam 161 so as to operate according to the cam diagram of the cam 161 (FIG. 16).

Reference numeral 190 is a reversing lever for switching the operation of the disk holding mechanism 90. The reversing lever 190 is horizontally rotatably supported by a shaft 194, biased in the Q direction by a spring 192, and positioned by a block 191. 140 is a turntable driving motor. 6th
In Figure A, 200 to 205 are microswitches, and 513 and 614 are photoswitches. The microswitch 200 is a switch for detecting the operation of the case expansion mechanism 60. The microswitch 201 is a switch for detecting the operation of the disk holding mechanism 90. Microswitch 202-2o5. Photoswitches 513 and 514 are switches for detecting the position of the disk holding mechanism 9o.

The disc holding mechanism 90 will be explained in detail.

7A-C, 8A and 8B, 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams of the structure and operation of the disk holding mechanism 9o. The movable base 91 is provided with contact portions 91a on the left and right sides that contact the lid 3 or 502. Reference numeral 92 indicates four rollers, which are rotatably supported by the movable base 91 and engaged with the rail 45 as shown in FIG. 7C. Movable base 9
A roller 93 is rotatably supported on the opposite side of the roller 1 .

Reference numeral 94 denotes a leaf spring, which is attached at a position where it comes into contact with the lid 3 or 502. 95 is an upper clamp arm;
It is formed integrally with the movable base 91, and a claw 95a is formed as shown in FIG. 7B.

The lower clamp arm 96 is rotatably supported by a bearing 97 and biased by a spring 98 in the direction of arrow 98a. Reference numeral 99.100 is a locking member that engages with the notch 19 of the lid to lock the lid 3 or 502. The latching members 99 and 100 are supported by pins 105 and 106, respectively, so as to be horizontally rotatable relative to the movable base 91. In addition, the sliding member 10 is attached to the latching member 99.100.
Driven ends 115 and 116 are provided, respectively, to be guided by cam grooves 113 and 114 provided in cam grooves 2 and 2, respectively. The sliding member 102 is approximately plate-shaped, and the cam grooves 113 and 114 are connected to the pin 1.
0S, guided by 109 arrow Y1 or Y
It moves approximately linearly in two directions. The sliding member 102 has a roller 103 rotatably attached to the left side of the center in the figure, a protrusion 102b, and an abutting portion 102a and a spring catch 110a on the opposite side. The protrusion 1o2b is inserted into the rotating member 101 through a square hole 91b made in the movable base 91.
The contact portion 101b (see FIG. 7C) can be brought into contact with the contact portion 101b (see FIG. 7C). Further, the spring hook 110b and the spring hook of the movable base 91 are a spring hooked between the portions 112 and 11o.
Therefore, the sliding member 102 is always urged in the direction of arrow Y1. Further, the sliding member 102 has a wedge-shaped portion 102.
G is provided, and is configured so that it can abut the wedge-shaped portion 102C and the abutting end 96a of the lower clamp arm 96, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The rotating member 101 is the fulcrum 10
1a to be horizontally rotatable on a movable base 91, +, J, hhs rz a If? 4b=Gn
4 Convex A m / air71i91Δ) Forced to rotate in the small direction. In addition, the rotating member 1o1 includes the lid 3 or 502 in addition to the contact portion 1o1b as described above.
A contact end 101C that can come into contact with is formed. The contact portion 1o1b has a sloped shape as shown in the figure.

Release members 107 and 108 are provided at both ends of the movable base 91, and engage with the inclined portion 26 of the protrusion 24 of the lid 3 or 502 to release the engagement between the lid 3 or 602 and the case 2. Reference numeral 109 denotes a contact plate, which is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the microswitches 202-205. 1
A connecting piece 10 connects the belt 111 and the disk holding mechanism 9Q.

The operation of the disk holding mechanism 9o will be explained. The disk holding mechanism can take the following three states.

The first state is the "lid/disk holding state".

This is a state in which the lid 3'' or 502 is hooked or unlatched and the disc 6 or 600 is clamped as shown in FIG. 7A.

In this state, the sliding member 1o2 is in a position closest to the right side in the figure (arrow Y2 direction) among the three states. The latching members 99 and 100 are in a position where the lid 3 or 502 is restricted as shown in the figure by being guided by the driven ends 115 and 116 by the cam grooves 113 and 114, respectively. The leaf spring 94 is in contact with the lid 3 or 502 as shown in the figure, and biases the lid 3 or 502 forward (in the direction of arrow X1). The rotating member 101 is still in contact with the contact end 101c. The lower clamp arm 96 is in a state of clamping the group guard 33 or 505 of the disk 6 or 500, as shown in FIG. 7B. In this state, the claw 95a of the upper clamp arm 95 and the contact end 96a of the lower clamp arm 96 are in a position where they contact the group guard 33 or 505. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the abutting end 96a is connected to the wedge-shaped portion 102.
c, and the sliding member 10 is moved by the biasing force of the barb 110.
2 is biased toward the right side in the figure (in the direction of arrow Y1), and as a result, the lower clamp arm 96 moves in the direction of arrow 98b in FIG. 7B.
The group guard 33 or 506 is biased in the direction of the group guard 33 or 506.

The second state is the "mold holding state". This is Figure 8A
The lid 3 or 502 is closed and the disc is fully clamped. In this state, the sliding member 102 is in an intermediate position among the three states. Front suspension members 99, 10
0, the leaf spring 94, and the rotating member 101 are all [
This is the same state as "Lid/Disc Holding State", and the lid 3 or 602 is not hooked as shown in FIG. However, in this state, the sliding member 102 has moved from the "lid/disc holding state" to the left side (Y1 direction) in the figure, so the first
As shown in Figure 0B, the wedge-shaped portion 102c and the abutting end 9
6a is not in contact. Therefore, the lower clamp arm 96
The arrow 9 is moved as shown in FIG. 8B by the biasing force of the spring 98.
It is open in the direction 8a and is in a state where the disc 6 is not clamped.

The third state is a "non-retention state." This state is the 9th
As shown in the figure, the lid should be left unlatched, with discs 6 or 5.
00 is not held. The sliding member 102 is in the position closest to the left side (in the direction of Yl) in the figure among the three states. The latching members 99 and 100 each have a driven end 115.
, 116 are guided by the cam grooves 113 and 114 and are in an open state as shown in FIG. The lower clamping arm 96 is open, as in FIG.
It is in a state where it does not hold 00. The rotating member 101 is in a position as shown in the figure, the contact portion 1o1b and the protrusion 102b of the sliding member 102 are in contact with each other, and the sliding member 102 is slid to the right (Y2 direction) in the figure by the biasing force of the spring 110. It is regulated not to do so.

In this way, the disk holding mechanism 90 can take three states: "lid/disc holding state", "mold holding state", and "non-holding state J". In all of these three states, the sliding member 1
It is regulated at the position in the sliding direction (Yl, Y2 direction) of 02. :) By changing the position of the sliding member 102 in the Yl and Y2 directions, "lid/disc holding state", "
The disk holding mechanism 9o can be changed into three states: a "mold holding state" and a "non-holding state". However, in the "mold holding state", the sliding member 102 is moved to the eighth position against the force of the spring 110.
It can be maintained when it is regulated to the state shown in the figure.

Figures 11A to C1, Figures 12A to C, and Figures 13A to C are
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the structure and operation of the case expansion mechanism 6o.

8o is the fixed base of the case expansion mechanism, which is fixed to the chassis 4o of the playback device, and is located near the insertion opening 61 as described above. The support member 61 is fixed to a fixed base 8o. Reference numeral 62 denotes an engaging member, which is supported by a bearing 63 and a pin 74 fixed to the fixed base 8o so as to be vertically movable.

Further, the retaining member 62 is biased by the spring 72 in the direction of the arrow W1 in FIG. 11B. The expansion member 66 is provided at a position corresponding to the support member 61 as shown in the figure, and is supported by a bearing 67 fixed to a fixed base 80 so as to be vertically movable. The expanding member 66 has an arm 64 and an abutting end 6.
8 is formed. A slider 65 is slidably exposed to the fixed base 8o, as shown in FIG. 11C. The slider 66 has a long hole 66a.

65b are provided, and pins 71 and 70 are engaged with each of them to indicate arrows Y1 and 70 in the figure. As shown in FIG. 11C, the slider 65 is restrained in the center by the slider 63a that slides linearly in the Y2 direction, and is configured so that the slider 65 does not bend only slightly on the lower side. Unfortunately, the slider 65 is provided with two retaining portions 69, and with this configuration, the expanding member 66 can be attached to the slider 6.
When 1 acts on the right side of the figure (in the direction of arrow Y2), it rotates in the direction of arrow v2 in the figure, and when it acts on the left side of the figure (in the direction of arrow Y1), it rotates in the direction of arrow ■1. . As shown in the figure, a spring 73 is attached between the slider 65 and the fixed base 8°, and the slider 65
is always biased toward the right side of the figure (in the direction of arrow Y2). However, the slider 66 is provided with an abutting end 76 and a notch 65c. A case guide 76 serves to guide the case 2 or 501, and is fixed to the fixed base 80.

The configuration of the case expanding mechanism 6o has been described above. Next, it will be explained how the case expanding mechanism 60 expands the case and engages the case to substantially fix it to the playback device.

When the case 2 or 501 is not inserted into the playback device, the case expansion mechanism 6o is in the state shown in FIGS. 11A-C.

That is, the notch 65 of the slider 65 and the engaging member 62 come into contact with each other, and the slider 65 is regulated in the state shown in the figure against the biasing force of the spring 73. Therefore, the expanding member 66
It will be regulated to the positions shown in Figures B and C. Case 2 or 50 is attached to the case expansion mechanism 6o in this state.
1 is guided and inserted into the case guide 75 through the insertion opening 61 of the playback device main body 50.

FIGS. 13A to 13C show the process of inserting the case 2 into the case expansion mechanism 6o. FIG. 13A shows the case expansion mechanism 60 in the same state as FIGS. 11A-C. In this state, the case 2 or 501 is moved to the case guide 7 in the direction of the arrow x2 as shown in the figure in the case expansion mechanism 6o.
When it is guided and inserted by the case 5, it is first expanded by the expansion member 66 like case B. Then, when the case is further inserted, the contact end 62a of the engagement member 62 contacts the open end of the case, and the retaining member 62 rotates in the W2 direction in the figure, as shown in FIG. 13C. The engagement end 62b of the engagement member 62 engages with the engagement hole 13 of the case 2 or 501. When this happens, the notch 65c of the slider 65 and the engaging member 62 are no longer in contact with each other, and the slider 65 slides to the right (Y2 direction) as shown in FIG. 12B by the biasing force of the spring 73. In the state shown in FIG. 12B, the expansion member 66 is
It rotates in two directions so that it does not hinder the removal of the disk 6 or 500 from the case 2'' or 501. Figures 12A-C show the state of the case 2 or 501 at this time. , i.e. expanded case 2 or 5
The state of 01 is shown by a dashed line. In this state, the retaining member 62 is restricted by the slider 66 so as not to rotate in the Wl direction as shown in FIG. 12B. next,
For example, if the contact end 76 of the slider 66 cannot be moved to the left side (Y1 direction) in the figure by some means, the slider 66 moves in the direction of arrow Y1, and the notch 6 is moved as shown in FIG.
5c comes to the position of the engagement member 62, the engagement member 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow W1 by the biasing force of the spring 72, and the engagement between the engagement hole 13 of the case and the engagement member 62 is released. Ru.

As described above, the case expanding mechanism 60 of this embodiment has a means for expanding the case as well as a means for engaging the case, and moreover, by moving the slider 65, it can be easily engaged with the case 2 or 501. can be canceled.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a microswitch 200 is placed at a position where it can come into contact with the slider 65.
Since the case is inserted into the expansion mechanism 60,
When the case 2 or 501 is engaged and the slider 65 is operated, the microswitch 200 can detect that the case 2 or 601 has been expanded and engaged. When the case is engaged with the engagement member 62, the movement of the engagement member 62 is regulated by the slider 66 as described above, so the case 2 or 501 will not come off easily and the playback device It will be in a state where it is substantially fixed at 50.

Further, the microswitch 200 detects whether or not the case 2 is engaged with the retaining member 62, and the lamp 6oO serves as a notification means to notify this detection state.
(FIG. 6) is provided on the front surface of the playback device main body 60. Therefore, the user can easily check whether the case 2 or 501 is engaged. lamp e
oo is connected so that it continues to light up while the engagement member 62 is in the engaged state. Note that a buzzer may be used as this notification means. Further, a disc diameter display lamp 601 connected to a photo switch 625 is provided on the front surface of the playback device main body 5o, so that the user can easily know the diameter of the disc being played.

The cam unit 160 will be explained in detail.

14 and 16 are operation explanatory diagrams, and FIG. 16 is a timing chart diagram illustrating the movement of the lever. In FIG. 14, the cam 161 is horizontally rotatably supported by a shaft 176, and a bell) 175. The power of the cam drive motor 166 is transmitted through the worm 166, and the cam drive motor 166 can rotate in forward and reverse directions.

The lever 162 is connected to the shaft 179, and the levers 167 and 168
are rotatably supported on shafts 178, and cams 1
An interlocking member (not shown) that engages with the cam groove 400 of 61 is provided, and when the cam 161 rotates, the cam groove 400
linked to each other, and each operates separately. The lever 167 is connected to the elevating mechanism 134 via a connecting member 1 to 3, and operates the elevating mechanism 134. The lever 168 is
It is connected to a connecting member 184 fixed to a shaft 181 via a connecting member 174, and by rotating the shaft 181, the support 18o is raised and lowered. The lever 162 is biased in the P1 direction by a coil spring 163, so the interlocking member 404 provided on the lever 162 is always in the cam groove and biased in the P1 direction.

The retaining pin 169 is provided on the lever 162 so as to come into contact with the contact member 76 provided on the slider 65 described above. The lever 162 is rotated by the cam 161, moves the slider 65 in the Yl direction against the spring 73, and returns the slider 66 to the state shown in FIG. 14A.

The cam groove 400 will be explained using FIG. 16A. The cam groove 400 includes cam paths 405a and 405b.

It is composed of 405C and 4oesd. Cam groove diameter 1
1 is greater than 12. Reno < -167
.

The cam grooves 400 that drive the cam grooves 168 are provided to operate according to the timing chart shown in FIG. 10, respectively.

Next, the operation of the cam unit 160 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 16, focusing on the operations of the cam 161 and the lever 162. Figure 14 shows case 2 or 501
is not inserted into the playback device, and the corresponding cam 181 and interlocking member 404 are in the state shown in FIG. 16. When case 2 or 601 is inserted, slider 66
moves, and the contact member 76 moves the engagement pin 169, resulting in the state shown in FIG. The slider 65 is the first
As shown in Figure 4B, it is stopped by a strike hook 41o and does not move beyond that point. This state is the state shown in FIG. 16B. The retaining pin 169 is still urged by the coil spring 163 to contact the contact member 76, and the interlocking member 404 is in a neutral state without contacting the inner wall surface of the cam groove 400. This state is state 11 in Fig. 15 (hereinafter, the state will be indicated as t in the timing chart of Fig. 15).
0 is detected, the disc clamping mechanism 9o clamps the disc 6 or 500 and starts pulling it out from the case 2 or 501, the motor 166 is energized, and the cam 161 is rotated in the ~ direction shown in FIG. 14B. , the levers 167 and 168 are pulled in the B2 direction shown in FIG. 14B according to the timing chart of FIG. (t2°t3 state). This state is the state shown in FIG. 16C.

At this time, since the cam groove diameter 12 is smaller than 11, the lever 1
62 moves in the B2 direction. Slider 65 is stopper 4
Since it is locked by the lever 10, it does not move, and only the lever 162 moves.When the force A 161 rotates further, the state shown in the 16th figure is reached. When the cam 161 rotates further from FIG.
In this state, the contact member 76 is separated from the engagement pin 169, and the engagement pin 169 is further pivotable in the B1 direction as shown in Figure 16. be. Therefore, the interlocking member 404 is connected to the cam path 40
The coil spring 163 abuts against the inner wall surface of 5a and is biased.
In this state, when the cam 161 rotates in the ~ direction, the interlocking member 4
04 enters the cam path 405a. When the cam 161 further rotates, the lever 162 moves in the B1 direction shown in FIG. 9, and the lever 168 moves in the B1 direction. By moving the lever 162 in the Pl direction, the slider 66 is moved to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the engaging member 62 is moved to the case 2! !
, or 601 is released from the engaged state (t4 state).

At the same time, the lever 168 moves in the B1 direction shown in FIG. 14, and the support 180 descends (state t4). When the cam 161 further rotates, the lever 167 moves in the direction B1 in FIG. 9, lowers the elevating mechanism 134, and places the disk 6 or soo on the turntable 130 (state 16). When the cam 161 further rotates, it enters the t6 state, its position is detected by a rotary switch (not shown), and the power to the motor 166 is cut off.
The cam 161 stops (t6 state) 0 This state is the 8th
In the state shown in the figure and FIG. 16A, the cam 161 is 360
This means that it has rotated 0 times.

After this, when the playback switch is turned on, playback starts.

After the playback is finished, the turntable 130 stops and can be taken out, and the case 2 or 501 is opened by the case expansion mechanism 6.
o, the engagement state of the slider 66 is released in the same way as described above, and the case 2 or 501 is substantially fixed to the expansion mechanism (state t7). This is the situation shown in FIGS. 9 and 16B. The microswitch 200 detects this state, and the cam 161 moves A1 in the opposite direction to that described above.
The motor 165 is energized to rotate in the direction. When the cam 161 rotates, the lever 167 first moves to the position B2 in FIG.
direction, the lifting mechanism 134 rises and supports the disk 6 or 500 above the turntable 130.

The lever 168 is pulled, the support 18o rises,
Support disk 6 or 500 (t9 state). When the cam 161 further rotates, the lever 167 moves in the B1 direction, lowering the lifting mechanism 134 (tl. state).
. Thereafter, the disk 6 or 500 is recovered into the case 2 or 501 by the disk holding mechanism 90.

During this operation, the cam 161 rotates, and
1 direction, support) 180 descends (t11
situation). When the cam 161 further rotates, as described above,
After the interlocking member 404 faces the branching member 403b, it enters the cam path 406b, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 16A, and the rail 1
62 moves the slider 66, case 2 or 501
The substantially fixed state of is released, and the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 16A is achieved.

To briefly summarize each state in Fig. 16, to is the standby state, tl is the case inserted state, t2 is the lift raised position, t3 is the support raised position, t3 is the start of slider movement, t4 is the slider lock (case removed), t is the lift lowered position, t6 is the standby state, t7 is the case inserted state, t8 is the lift raised position, t9 is the support raised position, tl. t indicates the lift lowered position, t indicates the support lowered position, and t12 indicates 1 slider lock (case detachment).

Next, the release mechanism will be explained in detail using FIGS. 27 to 29. FIG. 27B1 and FIG. 29 show the operation of releasing the release mechanism 508 and the clamping mechanism 9o from clamping the disc 6 when the disc 6 is used. FIG. 27B1 and FIG. 29 show the operation of releasing the clamping mechanism 9o from clamping the disc 600 when the disc 500 is used. FIG. 27A-1 is the state shown in FIG. 28B. 103 Sliding member 1 mentioned earlier in the explanation of the clamping mechanism
This is a roller provided in 02. Figure 28B shows “lid/
"Disk holding state". Next, when the lever 611 is pulled, the release mechanism rotates in the B1 direction and enters the state shown in FIG. 28C. If the clamping mechanism 90 moves in the X2 direction in this state,
The roller 103 climbs up the slope 610 and reaches the state shown in Figure 28. This state is the aforementioned "lid holding state". This state is shown in FIG. 27A-2, and the state in which the disk 6 is held by the holding mechanism 90 is released. FIG. 27B shows an operation in which the disk 600 is released from being held by the holding mechanism 90. Figure 27B-1 is Figure 29B
It is in a state of Next, when the lever 511 is pulled, the release mechanism rotates in the El direction and moves the roller 103 in the Yl direction. The result is FIG. 29C, which is the aforementioned "lid holding state" and means that the holding mechanism is no longer holding the disk 600. After that, when the clamping mechanism 90 moves in the X2 direction, the state shown in FIG. 29D is obtained. This state is shown in FIG. 27B-3.

Next, how the entire reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment operates with the above configuration will be explained step by step. 1st
7 to 25A-C, 26A-C, and 30 are all schematic explanatory diagrams showing how the various parts of the reproduction device operate in conjunction with each other.

First, FIG. 17 shows the state before the case 2 or 501 is inserted into the main body 60 of the playback device. At this time, the disc holding mechanism 9o is attached to the turntable 1 as shown in the figure.
It is located slightly in front of the center of 30. The disk holding mechanism 90 is in the aforementioned "non-holding state". Further, the support 18o is in a lowered position as shown in FIG. 3OA.

Next, when the case 2 or 501 is guided by the guide 52.63 through the insertion port 51 and inserted into the case expansion mechanism 6o, the opening of the case 2 or 501 is inserted into the expansion member 66.
is expanded by the retaining member 62 in that state,
The retaining hole 13 is engaged and the reproducing device main body 50 is substantially fixed.

In this state, the photoswitch 525 detects the presence or absence of a protrusion provided on the case, and the disc diameter is identified.

Next, in this state, the microswitch 20 shown in FIG.
0 is detected, the motor 114 operates, and the belt 111 is driven to move the disk holding mechanism 90 to the front (in the figure).
X1 direction). Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the disk holding mechanism 9o enters into the expanded case 2 or 501, the rotating member 101 comes into contact with the lid 3 or 502, and the sliding holding mechanism 9o situation]
becomes. At this time, the contact portion 102a of the sliding member 102 contacts the microswitch 201, and the disc holding mechanism 9
It is detected that o is in the 1-lid/disk holding state at this position. Then, the motor 114 rotates in reverse, and the disk holding mechanism 90 begins to be moved rearward (in the X2 direction) in the figure. When , the roller 1o3 provided on the sliding member 1o2
and the slopes 190b, l of the reversing lever 190! However, since the reversing lever 19o is rotatable in the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. 18, the reversing lever 190 only rotates, and there is no problem with the transfer of the disk holding mechanism 90.

Next, the state during transfer is shown. 19 to 22 show the state in which the disk 2 is transferred, and FIGS. 23 and 24 show the state in which the disk 500 is transferred.

The operation of transferring the disk 2 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 19, the lid 3 and the disc 6 are connected to a disc holding mechanism 9o.
is held and pulled out from the case 2. Now, as shown in this figure, the disk 6 is pulled out halfway and the upper part 30B
As shown in the figure, the support 180 rises and holds the group guard 33 of the disk 6. At this time, support 180
is only in contact with group guard 33, so disk 6
will not damage the signal surface.

Further, the disk holding mechanism 9o is moved rearward (in the X2 direction), and the movement is stopped at a position where the plate 515 blocks the 7-way switch 514 as shown in FIG. 27A-1. This state is shown in FIG. 2o, where the center boss 131 at the center of the turntable 130 and the center hole 34 of the disc 6 are in substantially corresponding positions. Even in this state, support 1
8o is configured as shown in FIG. 20 to hold the group guard 33 of the disk 6.

Next, the central mounting ring 133 is raised by the operation of the cam unit 160 and holds the central portion of the disk 6. FIG. 26A is a diagram explaining this state from the side. Next, as shown in FIG. 25B, l-'-) 180 is lowered by the operation of the cam unit 160. At the same time, when the disc clamping mechanism 9o is further moved backward (in the x2 direction), the roller 103 provided on the sliding member 102 of the disc clamping mechanism 9o comes into contact with the slope 610 of the release mechanism 608, and the sliding member 102 works to the left (Y1 direction), and the above-mentioned "
The state is "lid held". In other words, the disk holding mechanism 90 is not holding the disk 6, and this is the 21st disk holding mechanism 90.
This is the state shown in the figure. In this state, the disk 6 is held by the mounting ring 133 in the center as shown in FIG. 25C. Thereafter, when the mounting ring 133 is lowered by the operation of the cam unit 160, the disc 6 is mounted on the turntable 130. Next, the cam unit 160 operates to release the engagement between the engagement member 62 of the case expansion mechanism 6o and the case 2, allowing the empty case 2 to be viewed from the playback device. . Similarly, small diameter disc 5
The operation of transferring 00 and placing it on the turntable 130 will be explained. The photo switch 626 identifies the disk as a small-diameter disk 500, and the control is automatically switched. As shown in FIG. 23, a lid 502 and a disc 500
is held by the disk holding mechanism 90 and pulled out from the case 501. When it is pulled out halfway, the support 180 rises and supports the group guard 506 as described above.

Further, the disk holding mechanism 90 is moved rearward (in the x2 direction), and the transfer is stopped at a position where the plate 516 blocks the photoswitch 513, as shown in FIG. 27B-1. This position is a position where the center boss 131 at the center of the turntable 130 and the center hole 507 of the disk 500 almost correspond. Even in this state, the support 180 is configured to hold the probe guard 606 of the disk 500 as described above.

Next, the center mounting ring 133 is attached to the cam unit 160.
The release mechanism 508 operates in conjunction with the movement when the disc 500 is raised and holds the center of the disk 500.
By moving the roller 103 in the Yl direction, the clamping mechanism 9o enters the aforementioned "lid holding state". When the disc 600 is unscrewed, the clamping mechanism 90 is not clamping the disc 600, and in this state, the disc 500 is held by the central mounting ring 1.
It is held by 33. Then the clamping mechanism 9o again
is transferred backward (X2 direction) and stops at the position where the plate 515 passes the photoswitch 514. This state is the second
This is Figure 4. Thereafter, the mounting ring 133 is lowered by the operation of the cam unit 160 as described above, and the disk 600 is mounted on the turntable 130. Thereafter, the cam unit) 160 operates, and the engaging member 6 of the case expansion mechanism 60
2 and the case 501 is released, and the empty case 501 can be removed from the playback device. FIG. 26 is a diagram explaining this operation from the side.

The above disk 6 and disk SOO are case 2, respectively.
The operation from pulling it out of the case 501 to placing it on the turntable 130 has been described.

Next, the regeneration state and recovery operation will be explained.

In this state, the turntable 130 rotates, the arm housing 120 scans over the disk 6 or 500, and reproduction is performed. At this time, the lid 3 or 502 is held from below by the differential holding members 41, 42 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 24, so that it hangs down and does not come into contact with the arm housing 120, for example, while traveling. do not have.

When the playback is finished and the user inserts the empty case 2 or 601 into the playback device, the case expansion mechanism 6o
The engaging member 62 engages with the case 2 or 601, and the case 2 or 601 becomes substantially fixed to the playback device main body 5o.

The microswitch 200 detects this state in the same manner as described above, and this time the cam unit 160 operates to raise the mounting ring 133.

Next, a description will be given of the recovery operation, which differs between disk 2 and disk SOO, as in the case of insertion. First, the collection operation for the disk 6 will be explained.

When the mounting ring rises to support the disc 6 above the turntable, the motor 114 then moves the belt 1
11, the disc clamping machine SSO moves forward (arrow x
1 direction), and the plate 515 is transferred to the photoswitch 61
Stop after passing 4.

This state is shown in FIG. 25B. This condition is the same as mentioned above.
"Disk holding state". Next, the supporter 180 is raised by the operation of the cam unit 160, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 25A. Thereafter, the mounting ring 133 is lowered by the operation of the cam unit 160, and the disc holding mechanism 9o is moved forward (in the x1 direction) by the motor 114 and the belt 111 while holding the lid 3 and the disc 6. In other words, the state shown in FIG. 20 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 19.

Next, the recovery operation for the disk 500 will be explained. As described above, when the mounting ring is raised to support the disc 500 above the turntable 130, the clamping mechanism 9o is moved and stops at the position where the plate 616 has passed the photofinish notch 613. It rises due to the movement of ゜. After this, the mounting ring 133 starts to descend as the six-piece unit 160 operates. In conjunction with this, the release mechanism operates, and the clamping mechanism enters the aforementioned "lid/disc holding state".

Thereafter, when the mounting ring 133 completes its descent, the holding mechanism 90 is transferred forward (in the x1 direction) while holding the lid 502 and the disk 500 (FIG. 23).

The collection operation for each disk has been described above, and the final collection operation will be described next. This operation is common to both disks.

When the disk holding mechanism 9o is further moved forward (in the x1 direction), the roller 103 provided on the sliding member 102 and the slope 190a of the reversing lever 190 come into contact. At this time, since the reversing lever 190 is restricted from rotating to R1, the roller 103 climbs the slope 190a,
The sliding member 102 moves to the left (Y1 direction) and enters the aforementioned "non-holding state", and the lid 3 or 502 moves as shown in FIG.
is pushed into the case by the biasing force of the leaf spring 94.

Then, the motor 114 reverses again, and the disk holding mechanism 9o is moved backward (in the x2 direction) and returns to the position shown in FIG. The engagement member 62 of the case expansion mechanism 6o and the case 2 or 501 are disengaged, and the disc 6 or 50 is disengaged from the case 2 or 501.
0 is stored, and the lid 3 or 602 is the case 2 or 50.
1, the case 2 or 501 can be taken out from the playback device main body 5o.

In this way, when the user slightly inserts a case for storing discs of different diameters into the playback device 50, the disc diameter is identified, the disc is automatically taken out, and playback becomes possible. Furthermore, recovery of disks can be automatically performed according to the disk diameter.

The reproducing apparatus of this embodiment operates in this manner, and these operations can be controlled by, for example, a microcomputer. In other words, the disk holding mechanism 9 is controlled by a microcomputer and a normal control circuit.
motor 114 that drives o, and arm housing 120
The above operations can be performed by sequentially operating the motor 124 that drives the cam drive motor 124 and the cam drive motor 165.

In addition, the disk holding mechanism 9o is shown in FIG.
To stop at each position shown in Fig. 9, Fig. 20, Fig. 21, and Fig. 22, use the micro switch 2 shown in Fig. 6A.
This is possible by detecting that the abutment plate 109 attached to the disk holding mechanism 9o has abutted between 02 and 205 and programming the motor 114 to stop.

In addition, if the playback device has the above configuration, the configuration shown in FIG.
Even in the case where the protrusion 650 is provided as in the embodiment shown in FIG. becomes possible. Furthermore, since conventional playback devices, such as video disc players such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 56-111158, generally have a case insertion opening with a width slightly wider than the case width LE, the protrusion 550 is set at an appropriate height. If the setting is set to , even if the user accidentally inserts a case containing a small-diameter disc like the one in this example into a conventional playback device, the case will not be inserted until it reaches the gripping mechanism at the back of the player. It is possible to prevent a disk and a case from being inserted into the player which cannot be loaded into a conventional player because the protrusion 550 comes into contact with the edge of the mouth and interrupts the insertion operation.

Effects of the Invention The disc case of the present invention prevents the user from accidentally inserting the disc case of the present invention containing a disc with a small diameter that cannot be used in the conventional playback device into a conventional playback device. The disc case of the present invention can be used together with a conventional disc case for playback equipment that can prevent device malfunctions and damage to discs, and can be used with conventional disc cases. It can judge the size of the diameter, has an extremely simple configuration, and has great effects.

Furthermore, if the playback device is configured as described above, it becomes possible to create a system that can automatically load disks of two sizes, small and small, or more, with different diameters, depending on the purpose.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1A and B are conventional examples, C and D are plan and side views of a disk that can be used in an embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 2A and B are
3A to 3C are respectively a front view, a top view and a side view of the lid of the disk case, and FIG. 4A is a conventional one. FIG. 4B is a partially cutaway plan view of the disc case of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an external appearance of an embodiment of the playback device used in the present invention; FIG. A is a perspective view of its schematic configuration, FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the rail portion of the movable base, FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the cam unit and lifting mechanism, and FIGS. 7A to C are respectively Similarly, FIGS. 8A and 8B are a plan view, a sectional view, and a front view of the disk holding mechanism in a lid/disk holding state, respectively, and FIGS. B is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the disk holding mechanism in a non-holding state, respectively; FIGS. 10A and B are operation explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the sliding member of the disk holding mechanism and the clamp arm; and FIG. 11. A-C are a plan view, a sectional view, and a front view of the case expansion mechanism in a case-uninserted state, and FIGS. 12A-C are a plan view and a sectional view of the case-expansion mechanism in a case-inserted state, respectively. and front view, and Figures 13A to 13C are also explanatory diagrams of the operation of the case expansion mechanism.
Figures 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the cam unit, Figure 15 is a time chart of the cam unit, and Figure 16A is
-D is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the same cam unit, Figures 17 to 24 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the entire playback device seen from above, Figures 25 and 26 are side views of the same, and Figures 27 to 29 are FIGS. 30A and 30B are operation explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the support and the disk. 1...Disk case, 2...Case body, 3...Lid, 6...Disc (recording medium), 13...Engagement hole (Holding part), 40...
... Chassis, 60 ... Playback device body, 61
...Case insertion port, 6o...Case expansion mechanism, 62...Engagement member (case engagement means)
, 62'a...Abutting end, 62b...Engaging end, 65...Slider, 80...Fixed base, 9o...Disk clamping mechanism (retraction means),
91...Movable base, 96...Upper clamp arm, 96 mark, lower clamp arm, 99,100...
... Latching member (hanging means), 107, 108
-=...Release member, 120...Arm housing, 134...Disc lifting mechanism, 160...
...Cam unit, 180...Support, 20
0~205...Micro switch, 500...Small diameter disc, 6o1...Small diameter disc case, 5
02...Lid for small diameter disc, 508...Release mechanism, 513,514 Mountain...Photo switch. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 4
Figure (C) Figure 4 (Bn b'Jb , 500 6υJa. Figure 14 WI Dimension JCQ ■ Henno C) wRω 歇 + - , )/4 513 Figure 30 n

Claims (1)

[Claims] A recording disc storage container used in a recording disc playback device in which a recording disc is automatically placed on a turntable by inserting the recording disc into a recording disc storage container insertion opening, the recording disc storage container having a first diameter. A second recording disc having a smaller diameter than the recording disc is stored therein, has the same frontage as the first recording disc storage container in which the first recording disc is stored, and has an opening in the recording disc storage container insertion opening. , a recording disc storage container characterized by having a protrusion on its outer periphery to prevent it from being pushed in beyond a predetermined distance.