Patent ID: 6141314
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method of exchanging an optical disc in an optical disk drive apparatus comprising a main tray having a plurality of subtrays thereon, the main tray being movable, along with selected subtrays, between withdrawn and inserted positions, the method comprising the steps of:withdrawing the main tray to the withdrawn position together with all of the plurality of subtrays thereof below a chosen one of the subtrays while holding the chosen one of the subtrays at a stand-by position, wherein opposite side edges of each of the plurality of subtrays have support steps extending from a front end towards a rear end thereof such that each of the support steps of ones of the plurality of subtrays have another support step of others of the plurality of subtrays stacked above the ones of the plurality of subtrays to together define U-sectioned guide grooves, and wherein the chassis has opposite side walls with a support guide located on and positioned inwardly of each of the opposite side walls, the support guide comprising a plurality of parallel ribs for engagement with the U-sectioned guide grooves such that, when the main tray is withdrawn to the withdrawn position and the chosen one of the subtrays is held at the stand-by position, rear ends of the support steps of the chosen one of the subtrays are supported from below by respective ribs and at least a portion of a front end of the chosen one of the subtrays overlaps at least a portion of a rear end of an uppermost one of the plurality of subtrays remaining in the main tray so that the chosen one of the subtrays assumes a horizontal position, exchanging an optical disc on one of the subtrays below the chosen one of the subtrays, and subsequently moving the main tray from the withdrawn position towards the inserted position;withdrawing the main tray to the withdrawn position together with all of the plurality of subtrays thereof such that, when the main tray is withdrawn to the withdrawn position together with all of the subtrays, the rear ends of the support steps separate from the respective parallel ribs, exchanging an optical disc on a top one of the subtrays, and subsequently moving the main tray from the withdrawn position towards the inserted position;wherein when the main tray is at the inserted position, rear ends of the support steps are supported from below by respective parallel ribs of the support guides;drawing a chosen one of the subtrays from a stand-by position towards a loaded position while the main tray is maintained at the inserted position; andclamping an optical disk resting on the chosen one of the subtrays.