Abstract:
In an optical disc driver having a fixed opto-mechanic module and turntable, a disc loader includes a retractable tray for moving the optical disc into and out of the unit. The optical disc loader includes a base for mounting thereon a driving unit and a motor spinning disc; a movable tray actuated by the driving unit to linearly move into and out of the loader; a disc platform connected to the movable tray and moved therewith for loading, lifting, descending and retracting the optical disc; and a pressing unit connected to the disc platform, to be lifted and descended therewith, for pressing the optical disc to the motor spinning disc. Therefore, it saves space, simplifies the mechanism, decreases the number of components and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an optical disc loader, and more particularly relates to an optical disc loader, which includes a retractable tray for moving the optical disc into and out of an optical disc driver.  
           [0003]    2. Related Art  
           [0004]    In prior arts of optical disc drivers, an optical disc loader generally includes a complicated lifting device to move the opto-mechanic module, called mecha, onto a turntable for playing an optical disc laid thereon, and lift it from the turntable for ejection of the disc. The strict limitation of space and precision of movement make the mechanism and timing control more difficult and complicated.  
           [0005]    In a prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,361, a disc player has a housing and a frame fixed within the housing in which a turntable is rotatably journalled about a vertical axis. The loading mechanism comprises a drawer, which is rectilinearly slidable inward and outward through a front opening in the housing, between an opened (extended) and a closed (retracted) position. The drawer carries a platform for carrying a disk to the turntable. The platform is movable between an upper and a lower position in the direction of height with respect to the drawer, whereby the platform in the lower position is located below the upper side of the turntable. The loading mechanism further comprises a pressure lever with a disk loader for pressing a disc against the turntable. Since there is not a guiding element to ensure the platform of vertical lift from the turntable, in the operation of the platform during moving up, the optical disc can only be guided by the center post of the turntable. This is easy to cause jam of the disc on the center post.  
           [0006]    Besides, the pressure lever of the aforesaid mechanism is pivotally mounted for swinging up and down and occupies more space in the direction of height, which makes larger dimensions of the disc driver.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The primary object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical disc loader in which the mecha (opto-mechanic module) and turntable are fixed. The optical disc is supported by a platform, which is vertically movable to engage with and move apart from the turntable. A press plate is also engaged with the platform and movable along with the platform. Therefore, it solves the problem of aforesaid prior art to save space, simplifies the mechanism, decreases the number of components and simplifies the manufacturing process.  
           [0008]    To achieve the aforesaid object, an optical disc loader according to the present invention includes a base for mounting thereon a driving unit and a motor spinning disc; a movable tray actuated by the driving unit to linearly move into and out of the loader; a disc platform connected to the movable tray and moved therewith for loading, lifting, descending and ejecting the optical disc; and a pressing unit connected to the disc platform, to be lifted and descended therewith, for pressing the optical disc to the motor spinning disc.  
           [0009]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an optical disc loader according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the present invention showing the movable tray retracting into the base and actuating the disc platform descending to an engagement position;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the present invention showing the movable tray starting to eject from the base and actuating the disc platform lifting to a release position;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the present invention showing the disc platform lifting to the release position, and the movable tray carrying the disc platform totally ejecting out of the base;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3B is a perspective view taken from bottom side of the present invention showing the disc platform being stopped by stoppers located at the bottom side;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4A is a partial view of the present invention showing the relationship of a left supporting arm and an extrusion of a holder during lifting of the supporting plate;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4B is a partial view of the present invention showing the extrusion of holder supporting the bottom rim of the left supporting arm when the supporting plate lifting to the release position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5A is a first embodiment of a pressing portion of the present invention utilizing a magnet;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5B is a second embodiment of a pressing portion of the present invention utilizing a magnet;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the present invention showing the pressing portion pressing, with its weight, the optical disc to the motor spinning disc. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    The present invention relates to an optical disc loader of an optical disc driver. The optical disc loader carries an optical disc to move into and move out of the disc driver.  
         [0022]    As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disc loader mainly includes a base  10 , a disc platform  20 , a movable tray  30  and a pressing unit  40 . The disc platform  20  is for carrying an optical disc. The disc platform  20  is mounted on the movable tray  30 , and movable with the tray  30  between an ejection position to eject the disc and a loading position to load the disc. When the disc platform  20  moving along with the movable tray  30  into the base  10 , the tray  30  will activate the disc platform  20  and the pressing unit  40  to lift and descend synchronously, so as to place the optical disc on a motor spinning disc  11  mounted on the base  10 , or to release the optical disc from the motor spinning disc  11  for further being ejected from the base  10  by movement of the movable tray  30 .  
         [0023]    The base  10  is substantially a box-like element having a left wall  101   a  and a right wall  101   b  formed along the moving direction of the movable tray  30 . An entrance  103  is formed on one end of the left wall  101   a  and the right wall  101   b  for the movable tray  30  to move in. The motor spinning disc  11  is located inside the base  10  and controlled to rotate by unshown driving elements. A driving unit  12  is used to drive the movable tray  30  moving outwards and inwards between the ejection position (see FIG. 3A) for ejecting the disc and the loading position (see FIG. 2A) for loading the disc. The driving unit  12  includes a motor  120 , reduction gears  121  and a rack  122  mounted on the movable tray  30  and engaged with the reduction gears  121 . The motor spinning disc  11  is mounted on the base  10  at a suitable position for rotating the optical disc  50  loaded thereon.  
         [0024]    The disc platform  20  is formed with a carrier plane  21  for carrying an optical disc  50 . The carrier plane  21  is formed with a hollow center. A plurality of couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  extrude outwards from two sides of the disc platform  20 . The disc platform  20  can remain in a horizontal position and move, along the axial direction of the motor spinning disc  11 , between a lower engagement position and a higher release position. In the engagement position, the carrier plane  21  of the disc platform  20  is lower than the motor spinning disc  11  so that the optical disc  50  is placed on the motor spinning disc  11 . On the contrary, the optical disc is lifted by the carrier plane  21  when the disc platform  20  lifting above the motor spinning disc  11  to the release position as shown in FIG. 2B.  
         [0025]    The movable tray  30  is substantially a square frame mounted around the disc platform  20 . The movable tray  30  at least includes a left wall  301   a  and a right wall  301   b  located in the movement direction of the tray  30 ; and a front panel  302  for connecting the two walls  301   a ,  301   b . A plurality of guiding grooves  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c ,  31   d  are formed on the two walls  301   a,    301   b  for engaging with the couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  of the disc platform  20 . The guiding grooves  31   a,    31   b,    31   c,    31   d  have openings at the ejection direction of tray  30 , and extend backwards and upwards so as to receive and guide the plurality of couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  of the disc platform  20  for converting the horizontal movement of the tray  30  into vertical movement of the disc platform  20  between the engagement and release positions.  
         [0026]    The pressing unit  40  includes a supporting plate  41  and a pressing portion  42  suspended to the supporting plate  41 . The pressing portion  42  is suspended in a hole  410  formed on the supporting plate  41  and vertically movable therein. The supporting plate  41  overlaps on the disc platform  20 , so that, as shown in FIG. 6, the pressing portion  42  can press an optical disc  50  on the motor spinning disc  11  by its own weight when the supporting plate  41  pressing on the disc platform  20 . The supporting plate  41  further includes a left supporting arm  43   a  and a right supporting arm  43   b  formed on left and right sides thereof along the movement direction of the tray  30 . Four clamp portions  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,    44   d  are formed on ends of the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b.  The distance between the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b  is a little bit larger than the width of the movable tray  30 . The bottom of the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b  are surfaces matching with the couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  of the disc platform  20 . That is, the couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  are long enough to pass through the guiding grooves  31   a,    31   b,    31   c,    31   d  of the movable tray  30  as further extrude outwards. The opening of the clamp portions  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,    44   d  face to the ejection direction of the movable tray  30 , so that when the disc platform  20  being activated by the movable tray  30  to vertically move to the motor spinning disc  11 , the couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  will always engage with the clamp portions  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,    44   d.  And, the supporting plate  41  and pressing portion  42  will move downwards, as shown in FIG. 6, to press the optical disc  50  with its own weight when the pressing unit  40  descending to the disc platform  20 . On the contrary, when the pressing unit  40  moves upwards along with the disc platform  20  to the release position, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, the pressing portion  42  will be attracted by magnetic force of a magnet  45  to a magnetic element  421  and released from the surface of the optical disc  50 . When the disc platform  20  moving along with the movable tray  30  to the ejection position, the couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  will leave the clamp portions  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,    44   d,  but only the couplers  22   a,    22   d  move along the bottom surface of left and right supporting arms  43   a,    43   b.  Meanwhile, the back corners of the supporting plate  41  are supported by two holders  13   a,    13   b  fixed on the base  10  to maintain its height and being prevented from incline or falling.  
         [0027]    The holders  13   a,    13   b  are resilient plates fixed on left wall  101   a  and right wall  101   b  of the base  10 . One end of the holders  13   a,    13   b  is fixed on the left wall  101   a  or right wall  101   b,  while the outer end is an extrusion  131  extending to the left or right supporting arm  43   a,    43   b.  The extrusions  131  fall in the movement paths of the supporting arm  43   a,    43   b  so that when the two supporting arms  43   a,    43   b  moving upwards along with the supporting plate  41  to close to the release position of the disc platform  20 , the holders  13   a,    13   b  are pushed outwards by the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b,  as shown in FIG. 4A. Till the supporting plate  41  arriving the release position of the disc platform  20 , the extrusions  131  are released inwards to support the bottom surfaces of the left and right supporting arms  43   a,    43   b,  as shown in FIG. 4B. The extrusions  131  and the aforesaid couplers  22   a,    22   d  supporting on the bottom of the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b  will prevent the pressing unit  40  from falling. On the contrary, when the disc platform  20  further retracting along with the movable tray  30  into the base  10 , the couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  engage again with the clamp portions  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,    44   d.  By force of downward movement of the disc platform  20  and the supporting plate  41  activated by the movable tray  30 , the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b  will pass over the extrusions  131  of the holders  13   a,    13   b  again. In order to smooth the supporting plate  41  passing upwards over the extrusions  131  of the holders  13   a,    13   b,  the top rims of the supporting arms  43   a,    43   b  can be furnished with fillets  431 .  
         [0028]    The magnet  45  can be applied in different ways. For example, in FIG. 5A, the magnet  45  is mounted in the upper cover  14  of the base  10 . A magnetic element  421 , such as ferric plate, is mounted inside the pressing portion  42 . Therefore, when the pressing unit  40  moving upwards along with the disc platform  20  to the release position, the pressing portion  42  will be attracted by the magnet  45  and stay with the upper cover  14 . So, when the optical disc  50  and disc platform  20  moving outwards from the base  10 , the disc  50  won&#39;t interfere with the pressing portion  42 . In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the upper cover  14  is made of ferric material, and the magnet  45  is fixed in the pressing portion  42 , so as to attain the same function.  
         [0029]    In order to prevent the supporting plate  41  of the pressing unit  40  from being biased or stuck, a plurality of couplers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d  and corresponding guiding grooves  31   a,    31   b,    31   c,    31   d  are formed respectively on peripherals of the disc platform  20  and the movable tray  30 . Moreover, a plurality of guiding surfaces  102   a,    102   b,    102   c,    102   d  are formed on the left and right walls  101   a,    101   b  of the base  10  for constraining the supporting plate  41  moving only in the axial direction of the motor spinning disc  11 . In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the guiding surfaces  102   a,    102   b,    102   c,    102   d  are of right angular surfaces. But, certainly other shapes can be applied for the same function.  
         [0030]    Further, a pair of stoppers  15   a,    15   b  can be formed on the base  10  at the vicinity to the entrance of the movable tray  30 . The stoppers are used to constrain the disc platform  20  moving only in the axial direction of the motor spinning disc  11  before the disc platform  20  reaching the release position as arriving the top of the guiding grooves  31   a,    31   b,    31   c,    31   d.  After the disc platform  20  reaching the release position, the stoppers  15   a,    15   b  will support the bottom surface of the disc platform  20 , as shown in FIG. 3B, to prevent it from falling during moving outwards from the base  10 . Of course, the shape of the stoppers  15   a,    15   b  is not limited to column that other shapes, such as plates, can be applied. The only factor is that they shouldn&#39;t interfere the movement of the disc platform  20  and movable tray  30 .  
         [0031]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.