WO2010126291A2

WO2010126291A2 - Disk drive

Info

Publication number: WO2010126291A2
Application number: PCT/KR2010/002656
Authority: WO
Inventors: In Chang Yang; Woo Hyun Paik; Gyeong Eon Lee; Byung Hoon Min; Sam Nyol Hong; Taek Soo Lee; Heui Sik Seo; Ho Cheol Kim; Hyung Joo Kang
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2010-04-27
Publication date: 2010-11-04
Also published as: WO2010126291A3

Abstract

Disclosed is a disk drive reduced in size, and allowing a user to conveniently carry the disk drive. The disk drive includes a case provided at a front surface thereof with an open entrance, and a tray that is received in the case through the entrance. The tray includes a spindle motor to rotate a disk mounted on the tray and an optical pick up to record/reproduce signals. A longitudinal length of the tray is shorter than a diameter of the disk when the tray has been received in the case. When the tray has been ejected out of the case, the disk is loaded to record or reproduce signals.

Description

DISK DRIVE

The invention relates to a disk drive, and more particularly to a disk drive in which the volume of the disk drive can be minimized when the disk drive is carried or stored.

A disk drive is a device to record information on a disk or reproduce the recorded information. The disk drive is classified into a tray type disk drive and a slot-in type disk drive according to a scheme of mounting the disk which is a record medium. According to the tray type disk drive, a tray used for mounting the record medium, is slidably ejected out of a body of the disk drive and then slidably loaded into the body after the disk has been mounted on a top surface of the tray. According to the slot-in type disk drive, the record medium is loaded into the body through a slot without using the tray onto which the record medium is mounted such that information can be recorded onto the disk or read out from the disk.

The disk drive is classified into an internal disk drive fixed in a body of an appliance such as a lap-top computer and an external disk drive linked with the body of the appliance such as the lap-top computer through a cable. Currently, according to the tendency to make electronic appliances in small size and slim structure, the internal disk drive has a compact size and a slim structure. In addition, the external disk drive is gradually reduced in size according to the tendency to make the electronic appliances with the compact size and slim structure. Particularly, the external disk drive must have the compact size in order to ensure the portability and mobility thereof independently from the body of the electronic appliance.

The present invention relates to an external disk drive having a structure capable of minimizing a size of the external disk drive. If the external disk drive is minimized according to the present invention, a user can conveniently carry and store the external disk drive.

In order to accomplish the object of the present invention, a disk drive to record/reproduce signals onto/from a disk includes a case provided at a front surface thereof with an open entrance, a tray that is able to be received in the case through the entrance, and a disk driving and recording unit that records or reproduces signals while rotating a disk mounted on the tray. A longitudinal length of the tray is shorter than a diameter of the disk when the tray has been received in the case, and the disk driving and recording unit is able to record or reproduce the signals when the tray has been withdrawn out of the case.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of a top surface of the tray is open.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the disk driving and recording unit includes an optical pick-up base installed in the tray, an optical pick up installed in the optical pick-up base to be movable in a radial direction of the disk, a spindle motor installed in the optical pick-up base to rotate the disk, and a turntable rotating with the spindle motor and allowing the disk to be mounted thereon.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the tray is provided at a front end thereof with a bezel extending upward, and the bezel is provided on a top end thereof with a shielding rib extending toward the case.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a top surface of the tray is open and the disk drive further comprises a cover unit that covers an upper portion of the tray when the tray is ejected to an outside.

The cover unit may include a shielding plate that is slidably received into the case.

The cover unit may be rotatably installed at an upper end of a front surface of the case such that the cover unit rotates between an upper portion of a front end of the tray and the top surface of the case.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the disk drive further includes a shielding plate that is slidably received into the case. An insertion groove is formed at a bottom surface of a front end of the shielding plate, and an insertion protrusion is formed on a top surface of the shielding rib such that the insertion protrusion is engaged with the insertion groove.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a guide member protrudes from one of both side surfaces of the tray or both internal side surfaces of the case along a sliding direction of the tray, and a guide rail is formed at a remaining side such that the guide rail is coupled with the guide member.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of a top surface of the tray is open, and a disk insertion hole is formed in a rear surface of the case such that the disk is inserted into the disk insertion hole.

According to the present invention, a longitudinal length of the tray and the case is greater than a radius of the disk and shorter than a diameter of the disk.

In another aspect of the present invention, a disk drive includes a first case provided at a front surface thereof with an open entrance, a second case that is able to be received in the first case through the entrance, a tray that is able to be received in the first case through an inner part of the second case, and a disk driving and recording unit that records or reproduces signals while rotating a disk mounted on the tray. A longitudinal length of the tray is shorter than a diameter of the disk when the tray has been received in the case, and the disk driving and recording unit is able to record or reproduce the signals when the tray has been withdrawn out of the case.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the second case has a plane shape, and is provided at both side surfaces thereof with guide channels to guide the tray to an inner part of the second case.

The disk driving and recording unit includes optical pick-up base installed in the tray, an optical pick up installed in the optical pick-up base to be movable in a radial direction of the disk, a spindle motor installed in the optical pick-up base to rotate the disk, and a turntable rotating with the spindle motor and allowing the disk to be mounted thereon.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a front end of the optical pick-up base is rotatably installed in a horizontal direction.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the optical pick-up base is connected with the tray through a rotational shaft, and a torsion spring is fitted around the rotational shaft such that the torsion spring provides elastic force to the optical pick-up base to rotate the optical pick-up base toward the first case. In this case, the tray is provided therein with a stopper to restrict rotation of the optical pick-up base caused by the elastic force of the torsion spring.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the tray is provided at a front portion thereof with a bezel extending upward, and the bezel is provided on an upper end thereof with a shielding rib protruding toward the case.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the second case has a shape of a rectangular prism, at least a portion of a top surface of which is open, and the first case is provided at a rear surface thereof with a disk insertion hole.

A first guide member protrudes from one of both side surfaces of the tray or both internal side surfaces of the second case along a sliding direction of the tray, and a first guide rail is formed at a remaining side such that the first guide rail is coupled with the first guide member to guide the first guide member. A second guide member protrudes from one of both side surfaces of the second case or both internal side surfaces of the first case along a sliding direction of the second case and a second guide rail is formed at a remaining side such that the second guide rail is coupled with the second guide member to guide the second guide member.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive includes a case having one side with a length shorter than a diameter of a disk, a cover opening/closing at least a portion of the case, a spindle motor provided in the case corresponding to the cover and protruding higher than a top surface of the case to rotate a disk, a turntable on which the disk is mounted, and rotating together with the spindle motor, and an optical pick up installed in the case to record signals onto the disk or reproduce the signals from the disk.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a disk drive includes a case having open top and bottom surfaces, and having a longitudinal length shorter than a diameter of a disk, a case cover rotatably coupled with the case to open/close an upper portion of the case, a disk cover rotatably installed in the case, rotating between inner and outer sides of the case, and covering a lower portion of a disk that is loaded, and a unit installed in the case to record or reproduce signals while rotating the disk.

As described above, when the disk drive is folded, the disk drive can substantially be smaller than the disk that is a record medium. Accordingly, a user can conveniently carry and store the external disk drive.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a disk drive according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which a tray has been ejected according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the tray has been introduced according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the rotation of the disk drive according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a disk drive according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a disk drive according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the tray has been introduced according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a disk drive according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 9 to 11 are perspective views showing the procedure of inserting a disk into the disk drive according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the disk is loaded according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a portable state of the disk drive according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a disk drive according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the portable state of the disk drive according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a disk drive according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which a disk has been loaded according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of a disk drive according to a fourth embodiment for the present invention;

Figure 19 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the disk drive according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which a disk drive is loaded according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the structure of a disk drive according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 22 and 23 are views schematically showing various operating states of the disk drive according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a disk drive according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the disk drive according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which a tray has been ejected according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the tray has been introduced according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the use state of the disk drive according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the disk drive according to the present invention includes a case 2 to form an outer portion and a tray 10 that can be ejected out of the case 2. When the tray 2 is slidably introduced into the case 2, the longitudinal length of the disk drive according to the present invention becomes shorter than a diameter of a record medium.

The case 2 has a thin hexahedron shape, and is formed at a front surface thereof with an entrance 4. A space is provided at the rear of the entrance 4 to receive the tray 10. The case 2 receives the tray 10 to protect parts such as a spindle motor 14 and an optical pick up 18.

As shown in Figure 2, the case 2 has a rectangular shape, the longer side (transverse side) of the case 2 has a length slightly greater than the diameter of a disk D, and the shorter side (longitudinal side) of the case 2 has a length slightly greater than the radius of the disk D. As described above, the longitudinal length of the case 2 is shorter, and the tray 10 can come into or out of the case 2, so that the size of the disk drive is minimized, and a user can easily carry the disk drive.

In addition, a shielding plate 6 is slidably installed at an upper portion of the entrance 4 provided at the front surface of the case 2. As shown in Figure 4, the shielding plate 6 slidably moves to the front or the rear of the case 2. When the disk D rotates, the shielding plate 6 slides to the front of the case 2 to cover an upper portion of the disk D and protect the disk D. The shielding plate 6 has a length corresponding to a discharge length of the tray 10 to shield the disk D.

An insertion groove 6 is recessed in a bottom surface of a front end of the shielding plate 6. An insertion protrusion 22 of a top surface of a bezel 20, which will be described later, is inserted into the insertion groove 6, so that the shielding plate 6 is fixed in a state in which the shielding plate 6 is slid outward from the case 2.

Although the shielding plate 6 is slidably installed in the case 2 according to the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. The shielding pate 6 may be an additional part mounted on the top surface of the bezel 20 or the case 2 to shield the disk D when the tray 10 is discharged. For example, a hook is provided at one surface of the shielding plate 6, and a hook groove corresponding to the hook is formed in the case 2 or the bezel 30 such that the hook is coupled with the hook groove.

Meanwhile, the tray 10 can be installed in the case 2 such that the tray 10 is introduced into the case 2 and ejected out of the case 2. In other words, the tray 10 is configured to be introduced into the case 2 through the entrance 4 while sliding, or ejected forward through the entrance 4 while sliding. The tray 10 has the shape of a substantially flat plate, and open such that the disk D is mounted onto the top surface of the tray 10. Similarly to the case 2, the tray 10 approximately has a rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view. In detail, the longer (transverse) side of the tray 10 has a length slightly greater than the diameter of the disk D, and the shorter (longitudinal) side of the tray 10 has a length slightly greater than the radius of the disk D. The tray 10 according to the present invention has a longitudinal length shorter than that of a conventional tray, so that the size of the disk drive is minimized and only least parts are required to rotate the disk D.

Referring to Figure 1 again, elastic members 11 having elastic force protrude from both lateral sides of a rear portion of the tray 10. Insertion grooves 5 are formed at both lateral sides of a front portion of the case 2 so that the elastic members 11 are engaged with the insertion grooves 5. If the tray 10 slides forward from the case 2 to completely come out of the case 2, the elastic members 11 are inserted into the insertion grooves 5 to fix the tray 10. In other words, after the elastic members 11 are elastically deformed in a compression state, when the elastic members 11 reach at the insertion grooves 5, the elastic members 11 are elastically deformed to be engaged with the insertion grooves 5.

In addition, the tray 10 is provided thereon with a rotation unit to rotate the disk D mounted on the tray 10 and a reproduction unit to record signals onto the disk D that is rotating or reproduce the recorded signals from the disk D. In detail, an optical pick-up base 12 is installed on the tray 10. The optical pick-up base 12 is provided therein with a spindle motor 14 to rotate the disk D. A turntable 16 surrounds a rotational shaft of the spindle motor 14. The turntable 16 is a section onto which the disk D is mounted, and receives power from the spindle motor 14 to rotate together with the spindle motor 14.

An optical pick up 18 is movably installed in the optical pick-up base 12. The optical pick up 18 irradiates light into a signal record surface of the disk D to record signals or read out the signals from the disk D. The optical pick up 18 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the optical pick-up base 12 to irradiate light into the disk D while performing a linear motion in the radial direction of the disk D. Since the structure of the optical pick up 18 and the signal recording and reproducing functions of the optical pick up 18 using light are generally known to those skilled in the art, details thereof will be omitted.

The bezel 20 is provided at the front end of the tray 10. The bezel 20 extends upward from the front end of the tray 10 to close the entrance 4 provided at the front portion of the case 2 when the tray 10 slides into the case 2. The bezel 20 is provided at a top end thereof with a shielding rib 22. The shielding rib 22 extends toward the case 2 by a predetermined distance to cover and protect an upper portion of a front end of the disk D when the disk D rotates. The insertion protrusion 22 inserted into the insertion groove 6 formed in the bottom surface of the shielding plate 6 sticks out of a top surface of the bezel 22 or the shielding rib 22. A plurality of insertion protrusions 22 may stick out of from in the top surface of the shielding rib 22 while being spaced apart from each other with a predetermined distance.

As described above, according to the present invention, the longitudinal length of the case 2 and the tray 10 is substantially shorter than the diameter of the disk D. Accordingly, when the tray 10 is completely introduced into the case 2, the whole longitudinal length of the disk drive is shorter than the diameter of the disk D as shown in Figure 3. In addition, when the tray 10 is slidably ejected forward from the case 2, the whole longitudinal length of the disk drive is sufficient to receive the disk D as shown in Figure 2. That is, the disk D can be mounted on the tray to record and reproduce the signal. In this case, a rear portion of the disk D rotates in the case 2 as shown in Figure 4.

Hereinafter, the structure of a disk drive according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the disk drive includes a first case 102 having an open front portion, a second case 104 that slidably comes into or out of the first case 102, and a tray 110 that can come into or out of the second case 104 while sliding with respect to the second case 104.

The first case 102 has a hexahedron shape, and is provided at a front surface thereof with an entrance 103 that is open. The first case 102 has a space which is formed inward from the entrance 103 (at the rear of the entrance 103) to receive the second case 104. The first case 102 protects parts such as the spindle motor 114 installed on the tray 110 when the second case 104 and the tray 110 slide into the first case 102 and are received in the first case 102.

When viewed in a plan view as shown in Figure 6, the first case 102 has a substantially rectangular shape. The longer (transverse) side of the first case 102 is slightly greater than the diameter of the disk D, and the shorter (longitudinal) side of the first case 102 is slightly greater than 1/3 of the diameter of the disk D.

The second case 104 is slidably installed in the first case 102. The second case 104 moves into the first case 102 or moves forward from the first case 102 while sliding. Similarly to the first case 102, the shorter (longitudinal) side of the second case 104 is slightly greater than 1/3 of the diameter of the disk D. The second case 104 is interposed between the first case 102 and the tray 110 to connect the first case 102 with the tray 110.

The second case 104 has the shape of a rectangular plate, and is provided at both sides thereof with guide channels 106 to guide the sliding of the tray 110. In other words, the tray 110 is slidably inserted through the guide channels 106.

Similarly to the first and

second cases

102 and 104, the tray 110 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view. The longer (transverse) length of the tray 110 is slightly greater than the diameter of the disk D, and the shorter (longitudinal) length of the tray 110 is slightly greater than 1/3 of the diameter of the disk D. Accordingly, when the second case 104 and the tray 110 are inserted into the first case 102, the size of the disk drive is reduced to 1/3 of the size of a conventional disk drive.

An optical pick-up base 112 is installed in the tray 110 to rotate in the horizontal direction. The optical pick-up base 112 is provided therein with a spindle motor 114. The spindle motor 114 serves as a power source to supply power required to rotate the disk D. A turntable 116 surrounds a rotational shaft of the spindle motor 114. The turntable 116 is a section onto which the disk D is mounted, and receives power from the spindle motor 114 to rotate together with the spindle motor 114.

An optical pick up 118 is movably installed in the optical pick-up base 112. The optical pick up 118 irradiates light into a signal record surface of the disk D to record signals or read out the recorded signals from the disk D. The optical pick up 118 is movably installed in the longitudinal direction of the optical pick-up base 112 to irradiate light into the disk D while performing a linear motion in the radial direction of the disk D.

A bezel 120 is provided at a front end of the tray 110. The bezel 120 extends upward from the front end of the tray 110 to close the entrance 103 provided at a front surface of the case 102. The bezel 120 is provided at a top end thereof with a shielding rib 122. The shielding rib 22 protrudes toward the first case 102 by a predetermined length to cover and protect an upper portion of a front end of the disk D when the disk D rotates.

According to the present embodiment, the optical pick-up base 112 rotates about a front end thereof. According to the present embodiment, in order to reduce the size of the disk drive to 1/3 of the size of a conventional disk drive, the optical pick-up base 112 must not be fixed, but must rotate in the horizontal direction. To this end, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a rotational shaft 124 is provided at the front end of the optical pick-up base 112, and a torsion spring 126 is provided at the rotational shaft 124. The torsion spring 126 provides elastic force in a direction in which the optical pick-up base 112 rotates toward the first case 102, that is, counterclockwise in Figures 6 and 7.

The optical pick-up base 112 rotates clockwise about the rotational shaft 124 as shown in Figure 7 when the tray 110 is inserted, and rotates by elastic force of the torsion spring 126 as shown in Figure 6 when the tray 110 is discharged.

The tray 110 is provided thereon with a stopper 128 to block one side of the optical pick-up base 112. The stopper 128 restricts the rotation of the optical pick-up base 112 such that the optical pick-up base 112 does not excessively rotate by the torsion spring 126. In other words, the stopper 128 allows the optical pick-up base 112 to stop in an exact position, so that the disk D can be centered without titling leftward or rightward.

According to the present embodiment, when the tray 110 and the second case 104 are completely accommodated into the first case 102, the longitudinal length of the disk drive becomes shorter than the diameter of the disk D.

Hereinafter, the operating procedure of the disk drive having the above structure according to the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the disk drive according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The disk drive according to the present invention is an external type, and the tray 10 is maintained in a state in which the tray 10 is inserted into the case 2 as shown in Figure 3 when a user does not use or carry the disk drive. When the tray 10 is inserted into the case 2 as described above, the size of the disk drive is reduced by about half. Accordingly, the user can easily grip and conveniently carry the disk drive.

After connecting the disk drive with a computer body through a cable in order to use the disk drive, the user ejects the disk D at the front of the disk drive by sliding the disk D in order to reproduce the disk D. A state in which the tray 10 has been ejected outward is shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, after the elastic member 11 of the tray 10 has been pressed by the inner wall of the case 2, the elastic member 11 protrudes from an inner wall of the case 2 and is inserted into the insertion groove 5. Accordingly, the tray 10 can be stably supported without movement.

In this state, the user inserts the disk D between the case 2 and the tray 10, places the center of the disk D on the spindle motor 14, and couples the disk D with the turntable 16. If the disk D is coupled with the turntable 16, the end of the disk D can be protected from an external environment by the shielding rib 22 as shown in Figure 4. In this case, a half portion of the disk D can be protected in the case 2. However, the remaining half portion of the disk D is exposed to an outside. Accordingly, in order to protect the exposed portion, the user slides the shielding plate 6 out of the case 2.

When the shielding plate 6 is slid so that the insertion protrusion 22' is engaged with the insertion groove 6', the shielding plate 6 is not slid any more, but stably supported. The shielding plate 6 is slid outward to shield the exposed portion of the disk D and protect the disk D from an external environment together with the shielding rib 22. Accordingly, external force is not applied to the disk D when the disk D rotates.

In order to replace the disk D with another disk, after reversing the above operation, the disk D is removed from the tray 10, and another disk is mounted on the tray 10.

Next, the operating procedure of the disk drive according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 7. According to the present embodiment, since the size of the disk drive is reduced by about 1/3 of the size of a conventional disk drive, the user can conveniently carry the disk drive.

In order to mount the disk D, the second case 104 and the tray 110 must be slid as shown in Figures 5 and 6. If the second case 104 and the tray 110 are ejected outward, there is provided a space in which the disk D can be mounted on the tray 110. In this case, while the tray 110 is being ejected in a state in which the optical pick-up base 112 is pressed by an inner wall of the first case 102, the optical pick-up base 112 is rotatably moved to a predetermined position by the torsion spring 126 as shown in Figure 6.

In this state, after the disk D has been on the turntable 116, the spindle motor 114 operates. Next, the optical pick up 118 records signals onto the disk D or reproduces the signals recorded onto the disk D while moving in the radial direction of the disk D. When the disk D is necessary to be replaced with another disk, after the above operating procedure has been reversely performed, the disk D is removed from the tray 110, another disk D is mounted on the tray 110.

Hereinafter, a disk drive according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Figure 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the disk drive according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 to 11 are perspective views showing the procedure of inserting the disk D into the disk drive according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the disk D is loaded according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a portable state of the disk drive according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 8 to 13, one (longitudinal) side of the disk drive according to the present invention has a length shorter than the diameter of the disk D. The disk drive according to the present invention includes a tray 202 having a length corresponding to at least a half of the diameter of the disk D, and a case 220 capable of receiving the tray 202 therein.

The tray 202 has the shape of a substantially rectangle hexahedron, and is equipped with parts required to operate the disk drive. When viewed in a plan view, one side of the tray 202 has a length shorter than that of the other side, so that the disk drive can be reduced in the size thereof. In other words, the longer (transverse) side has a length slightly greater than the diameter of the disk D, and the shorter (longitudinal) side has a length shorter than the diameter of the disk D and slightly greater than the radius of the disk D. According to the present embodiment, the longitudinal length of the tray 202 is shorter, so that the whole size of the disk drive can be reduced when the user carries the disk drive.

The case 220 has an open rear surface to receive the tray 202 therein, and has an inner space in which the tray 202 is accommodated. Accordingly, the tray 202 is inserted into the case 220 through sliding or withdrawn outward.

*Meanwhile, for example, the tray 202 may be provided at both sides thereof with guide members 216 for a sliding operation with the case 220. The guide members 216 allows the tray 202 to be received in the case 220 while moving into the case 220 along guide rails (not shown) formed on inner side surfaces of the case 220.

The case 220 to receive the tray 202 therein has a size sufficient to cover the tray 202. The case 220 covers the tray 202 when the case 220 is combined with the tray 202, thereby shielding the disk D from an external environment.

As shown in Figure 8, the tray 202 has a space in which the disk D is mounted. A top surface 204 of the tray 202 is partially open such that the whole section of the tray 202 is not shielded. According to the embodiment, a front portion of the top surface 204 is open. As described above, the portion of the top surface 204, for example, the front portion of the top surface 204 is open such that the tray 202 can be mounted.

A disk insertion hole 222 is formed in one side surface of the case 220, which is opposite to a surface into which the tray 202 is inserted. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the disk D is inserted into the case 220 through the disk insertion hole 222, the rear portion of the disk D is exposed through the open section of the top surface 204. The exposed disk D can be mounted on a turntable 212 by pressing the exposed disk D inward. In addition, after the case 220 has been completely removed from the tray 202, the disk D can be mounted on the tray 202.

Hereinafter, the structure for recording/reproducing signals onto/from the disk D mounted in the above manner will be described. A disk mount section 206 is formed in the tray 202 corresponding to the shape of the disk D, and an optical pick-up base 208 is fixedly installed in the disk mount section 206. A spindle motor 210 is installed on a front end of the optical pick-up base 208. The spindle motor 210 is a power source to supply power required to rotate the disk D. The turntable 212 is provided around the rotational shaft of the spindle motor 210. The turntable 212 is a section onto which the disk D is mounted, and receives power from the spindle motor 210 to rotate together with the spindle motor 210.

The optical pick-up base 208 allows the optical pick up 214 to be movable. The optical pick up 214 irradiates light onto a signal record surface of the disk D to record signals onto the signal record surface or read out from the recorded signals from the signal record surface. The optical pick up 214 moves in the longitudinal direction of the optical pick-up base 208 from the central portion of the optical pick-up base 208 while performing a linear reciprocal motion in the radial direction of the disk D, thereby recording signals or reproducing recorded signals by using light.

According to the modified embodiment shown in Figure 11, a front surface of the case 220 is completely open, so that the case 220 can cross over the tray 202 to completely move back. Accordingly, the disk D can be mounted on the tray 202 in a state in which the case 220 has slid back to open front and top portions of the tray 202.

In the above structure, the disk D can be inserted and mounted on the turntable 212 through the operating procedure shown in Figures 9 to 11. Figure 12 shows the state of the disk drive when the disk D is reproduced. Referring to Figure 12, it can be recognized that the case 220 can completely cover the disk D after the disk D has been inserted into the case 220. The case 220 shields a portion of the top surface 204 of the tray 202.

When a user carries the disk drive according to the present invention, the user can slide the tray 202 such that the case 220 covers the entire portion of the tray 202 as shown in Figure 13. In this case, the size of the disk drive is reduced by about a half of the size of the conventional disk drive. Accordingly, the user can easily grip the disk drive to simply carry the disk drive.

According to the present embodiment, the longitudinal length of the case 222 and the tray 202 are substantially shorter than the diameter of the disk D. Therefore, when the tray 202 is slid into the case 220 to close the tray 202, the whole longitudinal length of the disk drive is substantially shorter than the diameter of the disk D.

*Hereinafter, a disk drive according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Figure 14 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a disk drive according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the portable state of the disk drive according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the disk drive according to the present invention includes a first case 330 having an open rear surface, a second case 320 that is slid into the first case 330 through the rear surface of the first case 330 and then accommodated in the first case 330, and a tray 300 that is slid into the first case 330 through the second case 320 to be accommodated in the first case 330.

The first case 330 has the open rear surface and is provided therein with a space to receive the second case 320 and the tray 300. The first case 330 is provided at a front surface thereof with a disk insertion hole 332. A longitudinal length of the first case 330 is shorter than the diameter of the disk D. Preferably, the longitudinal length of the first case 330 is slightly greater than about 1/3 of the diameter of the disk D.

The second case 320 is slid into the first case 330 through a rear portion of the first case 330 and accommodated in the first case 330. For example, the second case 320 is provided at both sides thereof with guide members 326. In addition, the guide members 326 allow the second case 320 to be accommodated in the first case 330 while moving along guide rails (not shown) formed on both inner side surfaces of the first case 330.

The second case 320 has the shape of a rectangular prism, and a portion of a top surface 322 of the second case 320, that is, a front portion of the top surface 322 according to the embodiment is open. The opening of the portion of the top surface 322 is necessary to mount the disk D as described above.

The tray 300 can be received in the second case 320. For example, the tray 300 may be provided at both side surfaces thereof with guide members 316. The guide members 316 allows the tray 300 to be received into the second case 320 while moving along guide rails (not shown) formed at both inner side surfaces of the second case 320. When the second case 320 is received into the first case 330, the tray 300 is actually received in the first case 330 through the second case 320.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the disk drive is reduced to 1/3 of the size of the conventional disk drive. Accordingly, if the optical pick-up base 302 is fixed onto the tray 300, the optical pick-up base 302 may be exposed outward or interfere with the first case 330. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the optical pick-up base 302 rotates about a rear end thereof in the horizontal direction. In other words, the optical pick-up base 302 rotates in the horizontal direction about a rotational shaft 310 provided in the tray 300.

The rotational shaft 310 is fitted in a torsion spring 312 to provide elastic force such that the optical pick-up base 302 rotates counterclockwise. The tray 300 is provided thereon with a stopper 314 to block one side of the optical pick-up base 302. The stopper 314 restricts the rotation of the optical pick-up base 302 such that the optical pick-up base 302 does not excessively rotate by the torsion spring 312. In other words, the stopper 314 allows the optical pick-up base 302 to stop in an exact position, so that the disk D can be centered without titling leftward or rightward.

Accordingly, when the tray 300 and the second case 320 are slid into the first case 330 and received in the first case 330, the optical pick-up base 302 is rotated counterclockwise while being supported by the torsion spring 312, so that the optical pick-up base 302 is positioned as shown in Figure 15. When the tray 300 is completely withdrawn from the first case 330 and the second case 320, the optical pick-up base 302 rotates counterclockwise by elastic force of the torsion spring 312 as shown in Figure 14, so that signals can be recorded or reproduced.

The optical pick-up base 302 mounted on the tray 300 is provided therein with a spindle motor 304 to rotate the disk D, a turntable 306 to support the disk D while rotating together with the spindle motor 304, and an optical pick up 308 to record or reproduce signals while moving in the longitudinal direction of the optical pick-up base 302.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the size of the disk drive is reduced by 1/3 of the size of the conventional disk drive. The disk drive may be designed such that the disk drive can slidably move in at least four steps.

Hereinafter, a disk drive according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Figure 16 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the disk drive according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the disk D has been loaded according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the disk drive according to the present embodiment includes a case 420 having an open portion, and a tray 400 that can be slid into the case 420 and received in the case 420.

The case 420 has one open side surface (e.g., front surface or rear surface), and is provided therein with a space to receive the tray 400. The tray 400 can be slid into the case 420 through the open side surface and received in the case 420. According to the embodiment, guide members 416 are provided at both side surfaces of the tray 400 along a sliding direction. The guide members 416 allow the tray 400 to be accommodated in the case 420 while moving guide rails (not shown) formed at both inner side surfaces of the case 420.

According to the present embodiment, since a top surface of the tray 400 is open, the disk D can be easily mounted on the tray 400. According to the present embodiment, the longitudinal length of the tray 400 and the case 420 is shorter than the diameter of the disk D. Preferably, the longitudinal length of the tray 400 and the case 420 is slightly greater than the diameter of the disk D. Actually, when the tray 400 is accommodated in the case 420, the tray 400 is slightly greater than the diameter of the disk D.

According to the present embodiment, in order to cover the open tray 400 having the open top surface, a cover 425 is rotatably installed on the top surface of the case 420. The cover 425 covers the top surface of the disk D after the disk D has been mounted on the tray 400, such that an upper portion of the tray 400 and the disk D can be protected. When a user carries the disk drive, the cover 425 completely rotates and is secured to the top surface of the case 420 in a state in which the tray 400 is accommodated in the case 420.

The tray 400 is provided thereon with a disk mount section 406. An optical pick-up base 408 is installed in the disk mount section 406. The optical base 408 is provided therein with a spindle motor 410 to rotate the disk D, a turntable 412 to support the disk D while rotating together with the spindle motor 410, and an optical pick up 414 to record or reproduce signals while moving in a longitudinal direction of the optical pick-up base 408 as described above.

Hereinafter, a disk drive according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of a disk drive according to the sixth embodiment for the present invention, and Figure 19 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the disk drive according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which the disk drive is loaded according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 18 to 20, a case 500 of the disk drive according to the present invention has a rectangular hexahedron shape allowing a user to easily grip the disk drive. The case 500 is provided therein with various parts necessary for the operation of the disk drive. One side surface of the case 500 has a length W smaller than the diameter of the disk drive.

In order to protect the internal parts, a cover 502 is mounted on the case 500 such that the cover 502 can rotate about a rotational shaft 504. When a user carries the disk drive, the cover 502 rotates to cover a top surface of case 500 such that the internal parts can be shield as shown in Figure 18. When the disk D is loaded, the cover 502 rotates to open the case 500.

Meanwhile, the case 500 includes parts used to realize functions of the disk drive. A disk sensor 505 is mounted on one side of a top surface of the case 500 to detect the disk D, and an optical pick-up film 507 is slidably installed at the center of the case 500. The optical pick-up film 507 selectively opens/closes a pick-up window 506, which is formed through the case 500, while sliding. For reference, the pick-up window 506 has a length corresponding to a moving trace of the optical pick up 514.

The operation of the optical pick-up film 507 is controlled according to signals detected by the disk sensor 505. In detail, the optical pick-up film 507 is closed when the case 500 is carried by the user, that is, the disk D is not mounted on the turntable 524, thereby preventing foreign matters such as dust from being introduced into the optical pick up 514. When the disk D is loaded, the optical pick-up film 507 is open, such that the optical pick up 514 irradiates light onto the signal record surface of the disk D.

Accordingly, when the disk sensor 505 detects the disk D, the optical pick-up film 507 is moved to open the pick up window 507. When the disk D is not detected, the optical pick-up film 507 closes the pick up window 506.

The case 500 is provided on the top surface thereof with scratch preventing sections 508. Each scratch preventing section 508 prevents the signal record surface of the disk D from being scratched. The scratch preventing section 508 includes felt or fabric capable of preventing scratches. The scratch preventing sections 508 are provided symmetrically to each other about the optical pick-up film 507. The case 500 is provided at one side surface thereof with a connector such as an USB port 510 to connect the case 500 with an external device such as a computer.

Hereinafter, the parts embedded in the case 500 will be described with reference to Figure 19. The case 500 is provided therein with a substrate 512 used to install parts for signal processing, and the optical pick up 514 that is movable with respect to a pair of guide rods 516. The guide rods 516 support both sides of the case 500 such that the optical pick up 514 is movable.

The case 500 is provided therein with a sled motor 518 to provide power necessary to move the optical pick up 514. A lead screw 520 is fitted around a motor shaft of the sled motor 518. The lead screw 520 is engaged with a cooperation section (not shown) formed at a side surface of the optical pick up 514 such that the optical pick up 514 performs a linear reciprocal motion by using power of the sled motor 518.

Meanwhile, the case 500 is provided therein with a spindle motor 522 serving as a power source to rotate the disk D. The turntable 524 is provided around the rotational shaft of the spindle motor 522 to allow the disk D to be mounted thereon and rotate the disk D by the spindle motor 522. The spindle motor 522 and the turntable 524 are selectively shielded by the cover 502. When the spindle motor 522 and the turntable 524 are mounted higher than a top surface 501 of the case 500, the disk D can be loaded without interference with the top surface 501.

Hereinafter, the operating state of the disk drive according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Referring to Figure 20, after a user opens the cover 502 in order to load the disk D, the user exposes the spindle motor 522 and mounts the disk D on the turntable 524. Thereafter, the disk sensor 505 detects the disk D and transfers a detection signal to the optical pick-up film 507 such that the optical pick-up film 507 opens the pick up window 506.

In this state, if a loading signal of the disk D is input, the disk D is rotated, and the optical pick up 514 irradiates light onto the signal record surface of the disk D through the pick up window 506 to record signals or read out the signals.

Hereinafter, a disk drive according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the structure of the disk drive according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figures 22 and 23 are views schematically showing various operating states of the disk drive according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 21, 22, and 23, the longitudinal length of a case 600 of the disk drive according to the present invention is shorter than the diameter of the disk D, preferably, corresponds to at least a half of the diameter of the disk D. The case 600 has open surfaces, that is, open front and top surfaces.

A case cover 602 is rotatably installed at a rear upper portion thereof of the case 600. The case cover 602 opens/closes an open top surface of the case 600. The case cover 602 protects the disk D when the disk D is mounted in the case 600.

The case 600 is provided therein with parts used to operate the disk drive. An optical pick up 606 is movably installed in an optical pick-up base 604, which is installed in the case 600, in a longitudinal direction of the optical pick-up base 604. Accordingly, the optical pick up 606 records or reproduces signals while moving in the radial direction of the disk D. The optical pick-up base 604 is provided at a front end thereof with a spindle motor 608 to rotate the disk D and a turntable 609 allowing the disk D to be mounted thereon to rotate together with the spindle motor 608.

A disk cover 610 is rotatably installed in the case 600. The disk cover 610 rotates about a hinge protrusion 612 provided in an internal side surface of the case 600. That is, the disk cover 610 is folded while rotating toward the inside of the case 600 about the hinge protrusion 612 or spread in the front direction while rotating toward the open front surface of the case 600. The disc cover 610 protects the disk D exposed out of the case 600. Since the disk cover 610 can be folded in the case 600, the size of the disk drive can be substantially minimized.

As shown in Figure 21, the disk cover 610 shields top and bottom surfaces of a half section of the disk D. In this case, the disk cover 610 must be configured to more rotate downward by a predetermined angle from the horizontal state shown in Figure 21. This means that the rotational angle of the disk cover 610 exceeds 180 degrees. Accordingly, the disk D can be inserted into the disk cover 610.

Hereinafter, a procedure of mounting the disk D on the turntable 609 will be described. The disk cover 610 rotates by at least 180 degrees about the hinge protrusion 612 in a state in which the disk cover 610 is mounted in the case 600. In this case, the user can insert the disk D into the disk cover 610 while inclining the disk D. If the disk cover 610 is positioned in the horizontal state by rotating again the disk cover 610 in the upward direction, the center of the disk D moves down toward the turntable 609 so that the disk D is mounted on the turntable 609.

The disk cover 610 may have an open top surface to protect a bottom surface of the disk D. In this case, the rotational angle of the disk cover 610 may be less than or equal to 180 degrees.

Referring to Figures 22 and 23, the disk drive according to the seventh embodiment can be connected with a portable computer such as a lap-top computer. Figure 22 shows an internal disk drive according to the present invention, and Figure 23 shows an external disk drive according to the present invention.

When the internal disk drive is used, the case 600 is detachably installed at one side of a body 620 of a portable computer. When inserting the disk D into the internal disk drive, the case 600 is separated from the internal disk drive. After the disk D has been inserted into the internal disk drive, the internal disk drive must be installed in the portable computer. A display unit 622 having a screen 624 is rotatably installed in the body 620. When the external disk drive is used, the case 600 is connected with the body 620 of the portable computer through a cable line L.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

A disk drive comprising:

a case provided at a front surface thereof with an open entrance;

a tray that is received in the case through the entrance; and

a disk driving and recording unit that records or reproduces signals while rotating a disk mounted on the tray,

wherein a longitudinal length of the tray is shorter than a diameter of the disk when the tray has been received in the case, and the disk driving and recording unit records or reproduces the signals when the tray has been ejected out of the case.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a top surface of the tray is open.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein the disk driving and recording unit comprises an optical pick-up base installed in the tray, an optical pick up installed in the optical pick-up base to be movable in a radial direction of the disk, a spindle motor installed in the optical pick-up base to rotate the disk, and a turntable rotating with the spindle motor and allowing the disk to be mounted thereon.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein the tray is provided at a front end thereof with a bezel extending upward, and the bezel is provided on a top end thereof with a shielding rib extending toward the case.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the tray is open and the disk drive further comprises a cover unit that covers an upper portion of the tray when the tray is ejected to an outside.
The disk drive of claim 5, wherein the cover unit includes a shielding plate that is slidably received into the case.
The disk drive of claim 5, wherein the cover unit is rotatably installed at an upper end of a front surface of the case such that the cover unit rotates between an upper portion of a front end of the tray and the top surface of the case.
The disk drive of claim 4, further comprising a shielding plate that is slidably received into the case, wherein an insertion groove is formed at a bottom surface of a front end of the shielding plate, and an insertion protrusion is formed on a top surface of the shielding rib such that the insertion protrusion is engaged with the insertion groove.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein a guide member protrudes from one of both side surfaces of the tray or both internal side surfaces of the case along a sliding direction of the tray, and a guide rail is formed at a remaining side such that the guide rail is coupled with the guide member.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a top surface of the tray is open, and a disk insertion hole is formed in a rear surface of the case such that the disk is inserted into the disk insertion hole.
The disk drive of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal length of the tray and the case is greater than a radius of the disk and shorter than a diameter of the disk.
A disk drive comprising:

a first case provided at a front surface thereof with an open entrance;

a second case that is received in the first case through the entrance;

a tray that is received in the first case through an inner part of the second case; and

a disk driving and recording unit that records or reproduces signals while rotating a disk mounted on the tray,

wherein a longitudinal length of the tray is shorter than a diameter of the disk when the tray has been received in the case, and the disk driving and recording unit is able to record or reproduce the signals when the tray has been withdrawn out of the case.
The disk drive of claim 12, wherein the second case has a plane shape, and is provided at both side surfaces thereof with guide channels to guide the tray to an inner part of the second case.
The disk drive of claim 12, wherein the disk driving and recording unit comprises an optical pick-up base installed in the tray, an optical pick up installed in the optical pick-up base to be movable in a radial direction of the disk, a spindle motor installed in the optical pick-up base to rotate the disk, and a turntable rotating with the spindle motor and allowing the disk to be mounted thereon.
The disk drive of claim 14, wherein a front end of the optical pick-up base is rotatably installed in a horizontal direction.
The disk drive of claim 15, wherein the optical pick-up base is connected with the tray through a rotational shaft, and a torsion spring is fitted around the rotational shaft such that the torsion spring provides elastic force to the optical pick-up base to rotate the optical pick-up base toward the first case.
The disk drive of claim 16, wherein the tray is provided therein with a stopper to restrict rotation of the optical pick-up base caused by the elastic force of the torsion spring.
The disk drive of claim 12, wherein the tray is provided at a front portion thereof with a bezel extending upward, and the bezel is provided on an upper end thereof with a shielding rib protruding toward the case.
The disk drive of claim 12, wherein the second case has a shape of a rectangular prism, at least a portion of a top surface of which is open, and the first case is provided at a rear surface thereof with a disk insertion hole.
The disk drive of claim 12, wherein a first guide member protrudes from one of both side surfaces of the tray or both internal side surfaces of the second case along a sliding direction of the tray, a first guide rail is formed at a remaining side such that the first guide rail is coupled with the first guide member to guide the first guide member, a second guide member protrudes from one of both side surfaces of the second case or both internal side surfaces of the first case along a sliding direction of the second case, and a second guide rail is formed at a remaining side such that the second guide rail is coupled with the second guide member to guide the second guide member.
A disk drive comprising:

a case having one side with a length shorter than a diameter of a disk;

a cover opening/closing at least a portion of the case;

a spindle motor provided in the case corresponding to the cover and protruding higher than a top surface of the case to rotate a disk;

a turntable on which the disk is mounted, and rotating together with the spindle motor; and

an optical pick up installed in the case to record signals onto the disk or reproduce the signals from the disk.
A disk drive comprising:

a case having open top and bottom surfaces, and having a longitudinal length shorter than a diameter of a disk;

a case cover rotatably coupled with the case to open/close an upper portion of the case;

a disk cover rotatably installed in the case, rotating between inner and outer sides of the case, and covering the disk that is loaded; and

a unit installed in the case to record or reproduce signals while rotating the disk.
A disk drive comprising:

a case having open top and bottom surfaces, and having a longitudinal length shorter than a diameter of a disk;

a case cover rotatably coupled with the case to open/close an upper portion of the case;

a disk cover rotatably installed in the case, rotating between inner and outer sides of the case, and covering a lower portion of a disk that is loaded; and

a unit installed in the case to record or reproduce signals while rotating the disk.