Abstract:
An optical disk driver using a top-loading mechanism is coupled to an operational processor, such as a personal computer. The term “a top-loading mechanism” means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk driver. Additionally, a display unit used for the operational processor can be located on an operational processing apparatus comprising such an optical disk driver and an operational processor. The optical disk driver includes a first case ( 12 ), accommodated in a housing ( 10 a) having the operational processor therein, a second case ( 11 ); movable from a first position to a second position, the second case ( 11 ) projecting from the first case ( 12 ) so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via a top surface of the second case ( 11 ) when the second case being located at the first position, the second case being accommodated in the first case to be operatively connected to the operational processor when the second case ( 11 ) being located at the second position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to optical disk drivers which drives optical disks (generally called CD-ROMs) and operational processing apparatuses having such optical disk drivers therein, and more particularly to an optical disk driver using a top-loading mechanism and an operational processing apparatus having such an optical disk driver therein. The term “a top-loading mechanism”, as used herein, means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk driver. And the term “an operational processing apparatus”, as used herein, means an apparatus having an operational processor, such as a personal computer, and a CD-ROM driver. 
     FIGS. 1 to  3  shows example of different types of CD-ROM drivers. FIG. 1 shows a CD-ROM driver using the top-loading mechanism separated from a personal computer. FIG. 2 shows a CD-ROM driver having the top-loading mechanism united with a personal computer. FIG. 3 shows a CD-ROM driver having a front-loading mechanism united with a personal computer. The term “a front-loading mechanism”, as used herein, means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk from a radial direction thereof via a front surface of the optical disk driver. The numbers  1 ,  4  and  6  indicate CD-ROM drivers, numbers  2 ,  5  and  7  indicate personal computers, a number  3  indicates an interface cable, a number  5 a indicates a display unit, and a number  8  indicates a CD-ROM, respectively. 
     However, the above conventional CD-ROM drivers have the following disadvantages: 
     1. Since the CD-ROM driver  1  in FIG. 1 is coupled to the personal computer  2  via the interface cable  3 , a relatively large space is necessary in which to locate the operational processing apparatus; 
     2. Since the CD-ROM driver  4  in FIG. 2 uses the top-loading mechanism, a display unit  5 a cannot be placed on the personal computer  5 ; 
     3. Since the CD-ROM driver  6  uses the front-loading mechanism which is more complicated than the top loading mechanism, the cost of the operational processing apparatus becomes more expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful optical disk driver and an operational processing apparatus having such an optical disk driver in which the above disadvantages are eliminated. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical disk driver using a relatively simple loading mechanism, an operational processing apparatus having such an optical disk driver which is relatively small, and on which a display unit can be placed. 
     A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an optical disk driver which comprises a first case, accommodated in a housing having an operational processor therein, the first case being operatively connected to the operational processor and the first case having an inserting opening, a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, the second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via a top surface of the second case when the second case is located at the first position, the second case being accommodated in the first case so that the second case is operatively connected to the operational processor via the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and the second case being inserted into the first case and/or projected therefrom via the inserting opening of the first case, and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into the second case. 
     Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide an operational processing apparatus which comprises a housing, a operational processor accommodated in said housing, and an optical disk driver comprising a first case, accommodated in said housing, the first case being operatively connected to the operational processor and the first case having an inserting opening, a second case, movable from a first position to a second position, the second case projecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via a top surface of the second case when the second case is located at the first position, the second case being accommodated in the first case so that the second case is operatively connected to the operational processor via the first case when the second case is located at the second position, and the second case being inserted into the first case and/or projected therefrom via the inserting opening of the first case, and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case. 
     According to the present invention, the optical disk driver uses a top-loading mechanism in which an optical disk is inserted and/or ejected via the top surface of the second case. Therefore, the loading mechanism thereof is simpler than that using a front-loading mechanism so that the cost of the operational processing apparatus can be kept inexpensive. Moreover, the optical disk driver is united to the operational processor when the second case is located at the second position so that the operational processing apparatus is located in a relatively small space. Additionally, the first case is accommodated in the housing whereas the optical disk driver uses the top-loading mechanism so that a display unit can be placed on the housing. 
     Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 to  3  are perspective views of conventional CD-ROM drivers; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an operational processing apparatus of a first embodiment according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an operational processing apparatus of a second embodiment according to the present invention, which enlarged view corresponds to the vicinity of an engagement part in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operational processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 into which a CD-ROM can be inserted; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operational processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 from which a CD-ROM has been ejected; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an operational processing apparatus of a third embodiment according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver shown in FIG. 8 in which a CD-ROM can be inserted; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the CD-ROM driver shown in FIG. 8 from which a CD-ROM has been ejected; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver with a lid closed viewed from a direction B shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an accommodation case shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIGS. 14 to  19  are views for explaining an operational processing apparatus of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A description will now be given of a CD-ROM driver and an operational processing apparatus having such a CD-ROM driver therein of a first embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 4 to  6 . Same elements will be designated by the same corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof will be given once. 
     The operational processing apparatus  10  according to the present invention comprises a housing  10 a, a personal computer (not shown) accommodated in the housing  10 a, an accommodation case  12  accommodated in the housing, and a CD-ROM driver  11  insertable into the accommodation case  12  and/or projectable therefrom. 
     The CD-ROM driver  11  drives a CD-ROM  13  when the CD-ROM driver  11  is inserted into the accommodation case  12 . Therefore, it may be said that the CD-ROM driver  11  accommodated in the accommodation case  12  corresponds to the CD-ROM driver  1  shown in FIG.  1 . The CD-ROM driver  11  is projected from the accommodation case  12  when the CD-ROM  13  is to be inserted into the CD-ROM driver  11  and/or ejected therefrom, and the CD-ROM driver  11  is inserted into the accommodation case  12  when the CD-ROM  13  is to be driven. Since the CD-ROM driver  11  is integrated and electrically connected with the personal computer in the housing  10 a via the accommodation case  12 , the operational processing apparatus  10  can be located in a relatively small space. Since the CD-ROM driver  11  and the accommodation case  12  are accommodated in the housing  10 a, a display unit (not shown) can be placed on the housing  10 a. Moreover, the CD-ROM driver  11  uses the top-loading mechanism which is less complicated than the front-loading mechanism so that the cost of the operational processing apparatus is kept inexpensive. A description will now be given of the operation of the CD-ROM driver  11 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the CD-ROM driver  11  is located at a first position where the CD-ROM  11  driver is projected from the accommodation case  12  when the CD-ROM  13  is to be inserted into the CD-ROM driver  11  and/or ejected therefrom. On the other hand, the CD-ROM driver  11  is located at a second position where the CD-ROM driver  11  is inserted into the accommodation case  12  when the CD-ROM  13  is to be driven. The CD-ROM driver  11  is movable between the first position and the second position. Incidentally, the CD-ROM driver  11  according to the embodiment has a lid  19  at a top surface thereof, and the CD-ROM  13  is inserted into the CD-ROM driver  11  and/or ejected therefrom via the lid  19 . Whether the lid  19  is provided or not is a matter of choice. The lid  19  can be opened and/or closed around an axis  22  by hand. The CD-ROM  13  is placed at a disk table  20  of a driving part  14 , and is driven there. After the CD-ROM  13  is placed on the disk table  20  and the lid  19  is closed, then the front part  14 a of the driving part  14  is pushed by hand s that the CD-ROM driver  11  is inserted into the accommodation case  12 . The CD-ROM  13  is fixed on the disk table  20  by a clamper  21 . A description will now be given of the movement between the first position and the second position of the CD-ROM driver  11 . 
     The CD-ROM driver  11  moves with a rail  15  mounted on a side surface thereof. The accommodation case  12  has rollers  16  which determine a path of the rail  15 . The rollers  16  hold and support the rail  15  from the top and the bottom so that the path of the rail  15  is positioned by the rollers  16 . The CD-ROM driver  11  can slide between the first position and the second position by the guidance of the rail  15  and the rollers  16 . The number and the location of the roller  16  can be changable. Incidentally, the path of the rail  15  may be determined, not by the rollers  16 , but by a section at an engagement part  12 a of the accommodation case  12  which is engagable with the rail  15 , as shown in FIG.  5 . The CD-ROM driver  11  is inserted into the accommodation case  12  and/or projected therefrom via an insertion opening  12 b. 
     The CD-ROM driver  11  is attracted to a magnet rod  18  when the CD-ROM driver  11  is moved to the second position, as shown in FIG.  6 . The magnet rod  18  is fixed to the accommodation case  12  via the magnet supporter  17 . The magnet rod  18  magnetically fixes the CD-ROM driver  11  to protect it from the inclination of the housing  10 a and the external vibration. The CD-ROM driver  11  can be moved from the second position to the first position by further pushing the front part  14 a. As shown in FIG. 7, the magnet rod  18  is fixed to the magnet supporter by a latch mechanism. The fixation by the latch mechanism is released by further pushing the magnet rod  18 . Therefore, if the front part  14 a is further pushed while the CD-ROM driver  11  is located at the second position, the magnet rod  18  is released from the fixation so that it is projected forward, consequently, the CD-ROM driver  11  is also projected from the accommodation case  12 . Then the CD-ROM driver  11  may be moved to the first position by hand. 
     It is possible to move the CD-ROM driver automatically from the second position to the first position, and thus open the lid in synchronization with the release of the latch mechanism. A description will now be given of an operational processing apparatus of a third embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 8 to  10 . The operational processing apparatus  30  of the embodiment comprises a projection mechanism  34 , a spring  27  which forces a lid  28  in an opening direction (direction A), a lock mechanism  23 , and a lock release mechanism  40 . In this embodiment, the lid  28  has a hook  26 . The hook  26  is engagable with the lock mechanism  23  to lock the lid  28  in order to keep the lid closed. The spring  27  is engaged with the axis  22 . 
     The projection mechanism  34  is a mechanism for automatically moving the CD-ROM driver  29  from the second position to the first position in synchronization with the release of the latch mechanism. The projection mechanism  34  comprises a pin  31  mounted on the side surface  29 a of the CD-ROM driver  29 , a pin  32  mounted on the accommodation case  12 , and tension coiled spring  33  stretched between the pins  31  and  32 . The strength of the spring  33  is adjustable by changing the location of the pins  31  and  32 . Thus, the CD-ROM driver  29  is forced in the direction X 2  as it is moved from the second position to the first position. The projection mechanism  34  may comprise the pin  31  mounted on the accommodation case  12 , the pin  32  mounted on the side surface  29 a, and compression coiled spring stretched therebetween. In addition, a mechanism for reeling a wire by a spring like take-up reel may be applicable to the projection mechanism  34  instead of the using a coiled spring. Moreover, another mechanism may be used for the projection mechanism  34  as long as it forces the CD-ROM driver  29  in the direction X 2  as it is moved from the second position to the first position. 
     The lock mechanism  23  is a mechanism for locking the lid  28  by cooperating with the hook  26 . The lock mechanism  23  comprises a hook lever  24  to engage with the hook  26  and a spring  25  forcing the hook lever  24  in an engagement direction. In this embodiment, since the engagement direction corresponds to a clockwise direction, the spring  25  forces the hook lever  24  clockwise via a pin  35 . 
     The lock release mechanism  40  is a mechanism for releasing the lock of the lock mechanism  23 . The lock mechanism  40  comprises a projection  44  projecting from the accommodation case  12  in the vicinity of the insertion opening  12 b, a lever  42  mounted on the side surface  29 a via a pin  41 , and a connection rod  43  connecting the lever  42  to the hook lever  24 . The lever  42  engages with the projection  44  when the CD-ROM driver  29  is approximately moved to the first position. When the lever  42  engages with the projection  44 , as shown in FIG. 10, the lever  42  rotates clockwise. Thus, the lever  42  rotates the hook lever  24  counterclockwise via the connection rod  43  so that the lock of the lock mechanism  23  is released. 
     Accordingly, when the CD-ROM driver  29  is located at the second position shown in FIG. 9, the lid  28  is locked by the engagement of the hook  26  and the hook lever  24 . And the CD-ROM driver  29  is forced in the direction X 2  by the spring  33 . When the front part  14 a is pushed in a direction X 1 , the fixation of the magnet supporter  17  is released. Thus, the CD-ROM driver  29  is moved in the direction X 2  by the spring  33  until the lever  42  engages with the projection  44 . The engagement of the lever  42  and the projection  44  releases the lock of the lock mechanism  23 . The the lid  28  is opened by the spring  27  in synchronization with the releasing of the lock. 
     Therefore, the pushing of the front part  14 a moves the CD-ROM driver  29  automatically from the second position to the first position, and opens the lid  28  automatically, too. Incidentally, the lid  28  has a bumper (not shown) so that the lid  28  is opened and/or closed softly. Whether the bumper is provided or not is a matter of choice. 
     It is possible to open and/or close the lid automatically in synchronization with the movement of the CD-ROM driver. A description will now be given of a CD-ROM driver of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the lid  37  is forced in the opening direction by the spring  27 , as in the third embodiment. And the lid  37  is smoothly closed by rollers  38  in synchronization with the movement of the CD-ROM driver  36  from the first position to the second position. The lid  37  has an engagement portion  37 a into which two rollers  38  located in the accommodation case  12  are inserted to be engaged therewith. A plurality of bearings may be provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening  12 b of the accommodation case  12 . 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a part of the CD-ROM driver  36  with a lid  37  closed viewed from the direction B shown in FIG.  11 . Each of the rollers  38  is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening  12 b. Therefore, the lid  37  gets smoothly closed by the engagement of the lid  37  with the rollers  38  as the CD-ROM driver  36  moves from the first position to the second position. Incidentally, whether the spring  27  is provided or not is a matter of choice. If the spring  27  is not provided, only the automatic closing of the lid is possible. The CD-ROM diver  36  has a concave part  36 a, as shown in FIG. 8, which functions as an opening and/or closing space for the lid  37 . 
     The accommodation case  12  in FIG. 4 comprises, as shown in FIG. 13, a back surface  12 c having the magnet supporter  17  thereon fixed in the housing  10 a, a top surface  12 d, a bottom surface  12 e, and side surfaces  12 f and  12 g which can be inserted and/or ejected via an mouth  51  of the housing  10 a. It is desirable to position the insertion opening  12 b of the accommodation case  12  at the center of the mouth  51 . Accordingly, the present invention also provides a positioning member which positions the insertion opening  12 b at the center of the mouth  51 . 
     A description will be given of a CD-ROM driver of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 14 to  19 . In this embodiment, the accommodation case  12  comprises positioning members  52  and  53  in the vicinity of the insertion opening  12 b. Because of the positioning members  52  and  53 , the accommodation case  12  can be adequately engaged with the mouth  51  in the vicinity of the insertion opening  12 b so that the insertion opening  12 b is located at the center of the mouth  51 . 
     FIG. 14 shows a CD-ROM driver  60  of the fifth embodiment according to the present invention. The positioning members  52  and  53  have square pillar shapes made of synthetic resin, respectively, top surfaces which project from the top surface  12 d by “a”, bottom surfaces which project from the bottom surface  12 e by “b”, side surfaces which project respectively from the side surfaces  12 f and  12 g by “c” and by “d”, as shown in FIGS. 15 to  17 . The spans “e” of the positioning members  52  and  53  are equal to the height “f” of the mouth  51  and the height “i” of the front part  14 a. The distance “g” between the side surfaces  52 c and  53 c is equal to the width “h” of of the mouth  51 . The width “j” of the front part  14 a is equal to the distance “k” between the top surfaces  52 a and  53 a. 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 show the accommodation case  12  accommodated in the housing  60 a. The top surfaces  52 a and  53 a make contact with the top surface  51 a of the mouth  51 , the bottom surfaces  52 b and  53 b make contact with the bottom surface  51 b thereof, side surfaces  52 c and  53 c contact with the side surfaces  51 c and  51 d thereof, respectively. Thus, the aperture  55  between the accommodation case  12  and the housing  10 a is uniformized so that the insertion opening  16  is positioned at the center of the mouth  51 . 
     Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.