Patent ID: 6646972
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An optical pickup device adapted to be positioned in confronting relationship to an optical recording medium for reading an information signal from and/or writing an information signal on the optical recording medium, comprising:an optical unit having at least a light source for emitting a light beam and a photodetector for detecting a light beam returned from the optical recording medium; said optical unit further comprising a light guide for guiding the light beam toward said objective lens and a light-transmissive optical plate covering said light guide; an objective lens for converging the light beam emitted from said light source onto a signal-recording surface of the optical recording medium; a cover having an opening for passing the light beam emitted from said light source, said cover covering at least a portion of said objective lens; said cover further comprising a shutter for selectively opening and closing said opening of the cover, said shutter being mounted on said cover, at least one of said shutter and said cover having a support shaft and the other of said shutter and said cover having a bearing portion for rotatably supporting said support shaft, whereby said shutter is rotatably supported by said cover; a guide flange extending about said support shaft and projecting from an outer peripheral surface of said cover, said shutter having an engaging hook extending from said shutter, said engaging hook slidably engaging said guide flange for guiding said shutter; a spring connected between said shutter and said cover.