Recording and reproducing device with medium regulating portion

A recording and reproducing device including, a case; at least one recording medium having a disk-shape, a motor configured to rotate the at least one recording medium, a head configured to read or write information from or to the at least one recording medium, and an actuator configured to drive the head to scan in a radial direction of the at least one recording medium which are provided in the case; and a regulating portion configured to, when an external shock is applied to the at least one recording medium, contact an outer peripheral edge of the at least one recording medium to regulate displacements of the at least one recording medium due to bending of the at least one recording medium, wherein the regulating portion includes a regulating member which is movable in an axial direction parallel to a rotation axis of the at least one recording medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-141267, filed Sep. 6, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing device.

Description of Related Art

A hard disk drive (HDD) is a recording and reproducing device capable of storing a large amount of information. Such a recording and reproducing device includes, within a case, a plurality of disks (disk-shaped recording media), a spindle motor that rotates the plurality of disks, heads attached to distal ends of a plurality of suspension arms, and a voice coil motor that drives the heads to scan in a radial direction of the disks, and writes (records) or reads (reproduces) information to or from the disks through the heads that scan the surfaces of the disks while rotating the disks.

Incidentally, for HDDs, attempts have been made to increase the number of disks that can be housed within a case in order to increase the storage capacity per one standardized HDD. Also, the distances between adjacent disks and the distances between the disks and other parts in HDDs have become narrower as the devices have become smaller.

On the other hand, the thicknesses of known 3.5-inch disks are about 1.27 mm. In this case, a standardized 3.5-inch HDD houses up to five disks within a case. Also, in recent HDDs, the thickness of each disk has been reduced and five or more disks have been housed within a case to increase the capacity.

However, when the thicknesses of disks are reduced, the rigidity of the disks decreases, such that they tend to bend when a strong external shock or vibration is applied to the HDD. In this case, contact between adjacent disks or contact between a disk and other parts increases the possibility of damaging the recording surfaces of the disks. Also, the recording density of recent recording medium is high and thus a large amount of recording capacity is lost even if a small portion of the recording surface is damaged.

Therefore, a regulating member which, when an external shock is applied to a recording medium, contacts an outer peripheral edge of the recording medium to regulate displacements of the recording medium due to bending of the recording medium is provided to solve such a problem (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 6 below).

PATENT DOCUMENTS

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, even when such a regulating member is provided, if the regulating member and the recording medium come into contact with each other, there is a possibility that the contact portions may be scraped off by rubbing and generate debris or dust. Also, if debris or dust generated within the case adheres to the disks, heads, or the like, there is a possibility that their functions will be adversely affected.

The present invention has been proposed in view of such conventional circumstances and it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording and reproducing device which protects a recording medium against external shocks and reduces the generation of debris or dust due to parts of the recording medium being scraped off.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following device.

(1) A recording and reproducing device including, within a case; at least one recording medium having a disk-shape, a motor configured to rotate the at least one recording medium, a head configured to read or write information from or to the at least one recording medium, and an actuator configured to drive the head to scan in a radial direction of the at least one recording medium which are provided in the case; and a regulating portion configured to, when an external shock is applied to the at least one recording medium, contact an outer peripheral edge of the at least one recording medium to regulate displacements of the at least one recording medium due to bending of the at least one recording medium, wherein the regulating portion includes a regulating member which is movable in an axial direction parallel to a rotation axis of the at least one recording medium.

(2) The recording and reproducing device according to (1) above, wherein the regulating member has a pair of contact surfaces facing the outer peripheral edge of the at least one recording medium, and the pair of contact surfaces are inclined in opposite directions with the outer peripheral edge of the at least one recording medium interposed therebetween.

(3) The recording and reproducing device according to (2) above, wherein the at least one recording medium includes a plurality of recording medium, the plurality of recording medium are arranged in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one recording medium, the pair of contact surfaces includes a plurality of pairs of contact surfaces, and each of the plurality of pairs of contact surfaces is arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the regulating member in the axial direction corresponding to each of the plurality of recording medium.

(4) The recording and reproducing device according to (2) above, wherein the recording medium includes a plurality of recording medium, the plurality of recording medium are arranged in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one recording medium, the regulating member includes a plurality of regulating members, and each of the plurality of regulating members is arranged in the axial direction corresponding to each of the plurality of recording medium.

(5) The recording and reproducing device according to (1) above, wherein the regulating portion includes an energizing member configured to energize the regulating member toward one side in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one recording medium.

(6) The recording and reproducing device according to (1) above, wherein the regulating member is pivotally supported by a support shaft parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one recording medium.

(7) The recording and reproducing device according to (1) above, wherein the regulating portion includes a plurality of regulating portions, and each of the plurality of regulating portions is provided at each of a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction of the at least one recording medium.

(8) The recording and reproducing device according to (1) above, wherein the at least one recording medium has a diameter of 90 mm or more and a thickness of 0.550 mm or less.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording and reproducing device that protects the recording medium against external shocks and reduces the generation of debris or dust due to parts of the recording medium being scraped off as described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings used in the following description, to make features easy to understand, portions corresponding to the features are sometimes shown in an enlarged form for the sake of convenience and the dimensional ratios and the like of components are not always the same as the actual ones. Materials, dimensions, and the like exemplified in the following description are also examples, to which the present invention is not necessarily limited, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

First, for example, a recording and reproducing device1shown inFIGS.1to3will be described as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.1is a plan view showing a configuration of the recording and reproducing device1.FIG.2is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a regulating portion20taken along line A-A shown inFIG.1.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view showing a state where disks3are in contact with a regulating member21.

The recording and reproducing device1of the present embodiment is a device which applies the present invention to a hard disk drive (HDD) that magnetically stores information.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the recording and reproducing device1includes a case2; and a plurality of the disks3, a spindle motor4that rotates the plurality of (four in the present embodiment) disks3, head assemblies7in which each of heads6is attached to distal ends of each of a plurality of (eight in the present embodiment) suspension arms5, a head actuator8that drives the heads6to scan in a radial direction of the disks3, a ramp9that allows the heads6to retract from surfaces of the disks3, and a control unit10that controls the components are provided in the case2.

The case2forms a space for housing the components inside when a lid2bthat closes a top opening of a case body2ais attached to the case body2awhich is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame with a bottom.

Each disk3is a disk-shaped recording medium having a central hole and is attached to a rotation axis of the spindle motor4. The disk3has a plurality of layers including a magnetic layer formed on each surface of a base material such as glass, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

The plurality of disks3are provided arranged in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one recording medium at regular intervals. In addition, the plurality of disks3have the same outer shape in a plane view. The number of disks3is not limited to two or more and may be one.

The spindle motor4is a thin motor for HDDs and rotates the plurality of disks3integrally while holding the central holes of the plurality of disks3arranged in the axial direction.

The head assembly7is rotatably supported via a rotation shaft7aprovided on a base end side of the plurality of suspension arms5arranged in the axial direction.

The head actuator8consists of, for example, a voice coil motor, is provided on a base end1side of the head assembly7across the rotation shaft7a, and that rotates the head assembly7. Thereby, the heads6attached to the distal ends of the suspension arms5can scan the disks3in the radial direction.

The ramp9is positioned radially outward of the disks3and forms a slope for retracting the heads6from the surfaces of the disks3. Thereby, the heads6can be positioned on the ramp9when the disks3are stopped and can be positioned above the surfaces of the disks3when the disks3are rotating.

While controlling the driving of the spindle motor4and the head assembly7, the control unit10performs control for processing information received from the outside and sending recording signals to the heads6, processing reproduction signals from the heads6and sending information to the outside, and the like.

In the recording and reproducing device1configured as described above, the heads6scan the surfaces of the disks3while the disks3are rotating, thereby writing (recording) or reading (reproducing) information to or from the disks3. In the recording and reproducing device1, the each of heads6attached to the distal end of the each of suspension arms5scan both sides of the plurality of disks3arranged in the axial direction. Thereby, information is magnetically written (recorded) or read (reproduced) to or from both sides of each disk3.

Incidentally, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the recording and reproducing device1of the present embodiment includes the regulating portion20that, when an external shock, vibration, or the like is applied to a disk3, contacts an outer peripheral edge of the disk3to regulate displacements of the disk3due to bending of the disk3.

The regulating portion20is provided at a position in the circumferential direction of the disks3where it can come into contact with and separate from the outer peripheral edges of the disks3. In the present embodiment, the regulating portion20is provided inside the case body2aat one corner thereof that faces the outer peripheral edges of the disks3.

The regulating portion20includes a regulating member21that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disks3. Although the material of the regulating member21is not limited, it is made of, for example, a low-friction member such as an acetal resin (POM), a polyamide resin (such as MC nylon (registered trademark)), or a fluorine resin (such as Teflon (registered trademark)) and is formed in the shape of a cylindrical roller.

The regulating member21is provided to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being pivotally supported by a support shaft22axially penetrating a central portion of the regulating member21. The support shaft22is attached to the case body2a. The support shaft22may be attached to the case body2athrough other parts.

It is preferable to provide lubricity to a sliding portion between the regulating member21and the support shaft22in the regulating portion20in order to facilitate rotation of the regulating member21. In order to provide lubricity to the sliding portion, for example, at least one of the regulating member21and the support shaft22is made of a self-lubricating material (see the low-friction member above) or grease or the like is applied to the sliding portion between the regulating member21and the support shaft22. Of these, the former is preferable in that the assembly process is simple and the inside of the case2can be less contaminated.

Each of a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) grooves23corresponding to each of the plurality of disks arranged in the axial direction is arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the regulating member21in the axial direction. The grooves23are provided such that they are cut in the outer peripheral surface of the regulating member21in the circumferential direction along the entire circumference.

Each groove23has a pair of contact surfaces24aand24bthat face the outer peripheral edge of the corresponding disk3and are inclined in opposite directions with the outer peripheral edge of the disk3interposed therebetween. That is, each of pairs of contact surfaces24aand24bcorresponding to each of the plurality of disks arranged in the axial direction is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the regulating member21in the axial direction.

As shown inFIG.2, the disks3and the regulating member21of the regulating portion20are normally not in contact with each other. That is, the outer peripheral edge of each disk3is located between the pair of contact surfaces24aand24b(of the corresponding groove23), and when the recording and reproducing device1is stationary, the outer peripheral edge of the disk3is arranged to overlap the pair of contact surfaces24aand24bin a plane view while being vertically separated from the pair of contact surfaces24aand24b.

On the other hand, when a strong external shock or vibration is applied to the disks3as shown inFIG.3, the disks3are bent such that the outer peripheral edges of the disks3are brought into contact with the regulating member21in the regulating portion20.

At this time, the outer peripheral edge of each rotating disk3contacts one of the corresponding pair of contact surfaces24aand24b, whereby the regulating member21rotates in the opposite direction to the disks3while following the rotation of the disks3.

As a result, the regulating member21in contact with the outer peripheral edges of the disks3can prevent contact between adjacent disks3and contact between the disks3and other parts while regulating displacements of the disks3due to bending of the disks3.

Also, when the regulating member21comes into contact with the outer peripheral edges of the disks3, the regulating member21rotates following the rotation of the disks3, whereby it is possible to reduce the generation of debris or dust from the contact portions while reducing the rubbing of the regulating member21and the disks3against each other. It is also possible to suppress a reduction in the rotation speed of the disks3due to the rubbing of the regulating member21and the disks against each other.

As described above, the recording and reproducing device1of the present embodiment is provided with the regulating portion20described above, whereby it is possible to protect the disks3against external shocks, vibrations, or the like and reduce the generation of debris or dust due to parts of the disks3being scraped off.

The regulating member21in contact with the disks3may not rotate if the pressure due to the contact of the outer peripheral edges of the disks3with the regulating member21is small. In this case, generation of debris or dust from the contact portions is reduced because the friction acting on the contact portions of the disks3is small.

When the regulating member21in contact with the outer peripheral edges of the disks3rotates, a rotation difference may occur between the regulating member21and the disks3. In this case, generation of debris or dust from the contact portions is reduced because the rotation difference is smaller than when the rotating disks3contact the stationary regulating member21.

Incidentally, if the disk3has a large diameter and a small thickness, it is likely to be bent by acceleration in the vertical direction and this deformation of the disk3increases vertical movements of the outer peripheral edge. Therefore, the effect of protecting the disks3against external shocks, vibrations, or the like, achieved by the regulating portion20described above, increases when the disk3has a large diameter and a small thickness.

The effect is particularly large, for example, when the disk3has a diameter of 90 mm or more and a thickness of 0.55 mm or less, but the diameter and thickness of the disk3are not necessarily limited to these. Also, the diameter of the disk3may be 94 mm or more. Also, the thickness of the disk3may be 0.425 mm or less.

The total thickness of layers including magnetic layers formed on the front and back surfaces of the base material of the disk3is generally not more than 10% of the thickness of the base material, but it may be not more than 7.0% or not more than 5.0%. Also, the total thickness of layers is generally not less than 1.0% of the thickness of the base material, but it may be not less than 3.0% or not less than 4.0%.

The rigidity of the disk3largely depends on the Young's modulus of the base material. When the base material is an aluminum alloy, the Young's modulus of the base material is preferably 70 GPa or more, more preferably 73 GPa or more. An aluminum alloy having a Young's modulus of 75 GPa or more may sometimes be used.

In addition, a curve (of corner R) is formed between the front and side surfaces and between the back and side surfaces at the outer peripheral edge of the disk3. Although the radius R of the curve is not particularly limited, it is preferable that R≥0.10t, more preferably R≥0.20t, with respect to the thickness t of the disk3. It is also preferable that R≤0.50t, more preferably R≤0.40t, and even more preferably R≤0.30t.

This configuration increases the area of the contact portion between the disk3and the regulating member21and reduces the contact pressure therebetween, thereby reducing the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion.

The corners between the front and side surfaces of the disk3and between the back and side surfaces may be at right angles and may also be chamfered. When the corners are C-chamfered with a chamfer width C, it is preferable that C≥0.10t, more preferably C≥0.20t, and even more preferably C≥0.30t. Also, when the corners are chamfered with a chamfer width C, it is preferable that C≤0.50t, more preferably C≤0.40t, and even more preferably C≤0.30t.

Here, the shortest vertical distance between the disk3and the regulating member21, which is the vertical distance between each of the pair of contact surfaces24aand24bforming the groove23and the outer peripheral edge of the disk3, is preferably 3.0 μm or more, more preferably 10 μm or more. This is to suppress contact of the disk3with the regulating member21due to slight deformations of the disk3caused by rotating the disk3, slight vibrations, shocks, or the like.

Also, the vertical distance between each of the contact surfaces24aand24band the outer peripheral edge of the disk3is preferably 500 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and even more preferably 50 μm or less. This is to effectively limit deformations of the disk3in the vertical direction.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

First Modification

As a first modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21A as shown inFIG.4.FIG.4is a plan view of the regulating portion20shown as the first modification.

The regulating member21A has a hub-and-spoke structure instead of the cylindrical roller-shaped regulating member21described above. Specifically, the regulating member21A includes a cylindrical roller portion25a, a cylindrical hub portion25bpositioned at the center of the roller portion25a, and a plurality of spoke portions25cthat radially connect the roller portion25aand the hub portion25b. The regulating member21A is provided to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being pivotally supported by a support shaft22axially penetrating the hub portion25b. Further, the plurality of grooves23having the pairs of contact surfaces24aand24bdescribed above are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the roller portion25ain the axial direction.

The regulating member21A can be lightened while maintaining strength. Also, the moment of inertia of the regulating member21A is reduced. As a result, the regulating member21A can better follow the rotation of the disk3when in contact with the disk3and can further increase the effect of reducing the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion.

Second Modification

As a second modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21B as shown inFIG.5.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the second modification.

Instead of the grooves23, grooves27, each of which has a pair of contact surfaces26aand26bthat are parallel to each other with an outer peripheral edge of a corresponding disk3interposed therebetween, are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the regulating member21B. A recording area of the disk3and the pair of contact surfaces26aand26bare arranged such that they do not overlap each other in a plane view.

This configuration can reduce fluctuations of the vertical distance between each of the pair of contact surfaces26aand26bforming the groove27and the outer peripheral edge of the disk3even if at least one of the disk3and the regulating member21is displaced in the horizontal direction due to dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances of parts.

Third Modification

As a third modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21C as shown inFIG.6.FIG.6is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the third modification.

Each of a plurality of regulating members21C is arranged in the axial direction corresponding to each of the disks3arranged in the axial direction. A groove23having the pair of contact surfaces24aand24bis provided on an outer peripheral surface of each regulating member21C. That is, the regulating members21C are formed by dividing the regulating member21into parts corresponding to the grooves23.

The plurality of regulating members21C are provided to be rotatable independently of each other about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being pivotally supported by a support shaft22axially penetrating central portions of the regulating members21C. Spacers28for adjusting the intervals between adjacent regulating members21C are arranged between the adjacent regulating members21C in each of the plurality of regulating members21C.

According to this configuration, only a regulating member21C in contact with an outer peripheral edge of a disk3can be rotated among the plurality of regulating members21C. Because the moment of inertia of each regulating member21C is small, the regulating member21C can better follow the rotation of the disk3when in contact with the disk3and can further increase the effect of reducing the generation of debris of dust from the contact portion. According to this configuration, it is also possible to more effectively suppress a reduction in the rotation speed of the disk3due to the rubbing of the regulating member21C and the disk3against each other.

Fourth Modification

As a fourth modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21D as shown inFIG.7.FIG.7is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the fourth modification.

Each of a plurality of regulating members21D is arranged in the axial direction corresponding to each of the disks3arranged in the axial direction. Each regulating member21D has, on an outer peripheral portion thereof, the pair of contact surfaces24aand24binclined in opposite directions. That is, the regulating members21D are formed by dividing the regulating member21into parts corresponding to the pairs of contact surfaces24aand24bforming the grooves23.

The plurality of regulating members21D are provided to be rotatable independently of each other about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being pivotally supported by the support shaft22axially penetrating central portions of the regulating members21D. The spacers28for adjusting the intervals between adjacent regulating members21D, which have been described above with reference toFIG.6, may be arranged between the adjacent regulating members21D in each of the plurality of regulating members21C, as necessary.

According to this configuration, only a regulating member21D in contact with an outer peripheral edge of a disk3can be rotated among the plurality of regulating members21D and each regulating member21D can be lightened. Also, the moment of inertia of each regulating member21D is small.

Thus, the regulating member21D can better follow the rotation of the disk3when in contact with the disk3and can further increase the effect of reducing the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion. According to this configuration, it is also possible to more effectively suppress a reduction in the rotation speed of the disk3due to the rubbing of the regulating member21D and the disk3against each other.

Fifth Modification

As a fifth modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21as shown inFIG.8which is provided to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3.FIG.8is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the fifth modification.

The regulating member21is provided to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being pivotally supported by a support shaft22A longer than the regulating member21. Since the regulating member21is normally positioned on a bottom side of the case body2adue to its own weight, it basically moves upward when it comes into contact with an outer peripheral edge of a disk3.

Therefore, it is preferable that the distance between a lower surface (back surface) side of the outer peripheral edge of the disk3and the contact surface24aof the regulating member21contacting the lower surface (back surface) side be longer than the distance between an upper surface (front surface) side of the outer peripheral edge of the disk3and the contact surface24bthereof contacting the upper surface (front surface) side.

According to this configuration, when an outer peripheral edge of a rotating disk3comes into contact with the regulating member21, the regulating member21moves in the axial direction while following a displacement of the disk3due to bending of the disk3. As a result, it is possible to reduce the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion while suppressing the rubbing of the regulating member21and the disk3against each other.

Similarly, the regulating members21A to21D can also be configured to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3.

The regulating members21,21A to21D are not necessarily configured to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3and may be configured to be movable only in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3.

Sixth Modification

As a sixth modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, the regulating member21as shown inFIG.9which is provided to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3and an energizing member29that energizes the regulating member21toward one side in an axial direction.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the sixth modification.

The regulating member21is provided to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being pivotally supported by the support shaft22A longer than the regulating member21. Furthermore, a coil spring serving as an example of the energizing member29is arranged between the regulating member21and the bottom surface of the case body2awith the support shaft22A penetrating therethrough in the axial direction.

According to this configuration, when an outer peripheral edge of a rotating disk3comes into contact with the regulating member21, the regulating member21moves in the axial direction while following a displacement of the disk3due to bending of the disk3. On the other hand, the regulating member21that has moved in the axial direction returns to its original position due to the energizing force of the energizing member29. As a result, it is possible to reduce the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion while reducing the rubbing of the regulating member21and the disk3against each other. According to this configuration, it is also possible to more effectively suppress a reduction in the rotation speed of the disk3due to the rubbing of the regulating member21and the disk3against each other.

The energizing member29is not necessarily arranged between the regulating member21and the bottom surface of the case body2aon one side of the regulating member21in the axial direction, as described above, the energizing member29may be arranged between the regulating member21and the lid2bon the other side of the regulating member21in the axial direction, and the energizing member29may also be arranged on both sides thereof.

Similarly, the regulating members21A to21D can also be configured to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3and provided with the energizing member29that energizes the regulating member21toward one side in an axial direction.

The regulating members21,21A to21D are not necessarily configured to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3and may be configured to be movable only in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3.

Seventh Modification

As a seventh modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21E as shown inFIG.10.FIG.10is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the seventh modification.

The regulating member21E is provided to be movable only in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of disks3by being supported by a pair of support shafts30aand30blonger than the regulating member21E.

A side surface of the regulating member21E facing the outer peripheral edge of each disk3forms a concave curved surface carved in an are shape along the outer shape of the disk3in a plane view. The side surface of the regulating member21E facing the outer peripheral edge of the disk3is not limited to such a concave curved surface and may be a convex curved surface or a flat surface.

The grooves23having the pairs of contact surfaces24aand24bare arranged in the axial direction on the side surface of the regulating member21E facing the outer peripheral edges of the disks3.

Furthermore, other side surface of the regulating member21E excluding the side surface of the regulating member21E facing the outer peripheral edge of each disk3may form a flat surface. The other side surface of the regulating member21E is not limited to such the flat surface.

According to this configuration, when an outer peripheral edge of a rotating disk3comes into contact with the regulating member21E, the regulating member21E moves in the axial direction while following a displacement of the disk3due to bending of the disk3. As a result, it is possible to reduce the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion while reducing the rubbing of the regulating member21E and the disk3against each other. According to this configuration, it is also possible to more effectively suppress a reduction in the rotation speed of the disk3due to the rubbing of the regulating member21E and the disk3against each other.

Eighth Modification

As an eighth modification, the regulating portion20may be configured to include, for example, a regulating member21F as shown inFIG.11which is provided to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3and the energizing member29that energizes the regulating member21F toward one side in an axial direction.FIG.11is a cross-sectional view of the regulating portion20shown as the eighth modification.

The regulating member21F may have the same configurations of the regulating member21E.

The regulating member21F is provided to be movable in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the disk3by being supported by a support shaft30clonger than the regulating member21F. A coil spring serving as an example of the energizing member29is arranged between the regulating member21F and the bottom surface of the case body2awith the support shaft30cpenetrating therethrough in the axial direction.

According to this configuration, when an outer peripheral edge of a rotating disk3comes into contact with the regulating member21F, the regulating member21F moves in the axial direction while following a displacement of the disk3due to bending of the disk3. On the other hand, the regulating member21F that has moved in the axial direction returns to its original position due to the energizing force of the energizing member29. As a result, it is possible to reduce the generation of debris or dust from the contact portion while reducing the rubbing of the regulating member21F and the disk3against each other. According to this configuration, it is also possible to more effectively suppress a reduction in the rotation speed of the disk3due to the rubbing of the regulating member21F and the disk3against each other.

The energizing member29is not necessarily arranged between the regulating member21F and the bottom surface of the case body2aon one side of the regulating member21F in the axial direction, as described above, the energizing member29may be arranged between the regulating member21F and the lid2bon the other side of the regulating member21F in the axial direction, and the energizing member29may also be arranged on both sides thereof.

The grooves23and27are not necessarily arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction and may be arranged at intervals in the axial direction.

The regulating members21,21A to21F are not necessarily supported directly on the support shafts22,22A,30a,30b, and30cand may be supported on the support shafts22,22A,30a,30b, and30cvia another member such as a bearing.

Further, the mounting structure of the regulating member21,21A to21F is not limited to the above-described configuration in which the regulating member21,21A to21F is pivotally supported by the support shaft22,22A,30a,30b, or30cand may employ a configuration in which the regulating member21is rotatably attached to the case body2awith a screw31screwed to the case body2aas a support shaft as shown inFIG.12Aor a configuration in which the regulating member21is rotatably attached to a boss32projecting from the case body2aas a support shaft as shown inFIG.12B. A screw33is screwed to a distal end of the boss32to prevent it from coming off.

In the configurations illustrated inFIGS.12A and12Babove, it is preferable that the diameters of the heads of the screws31and33be larger than the diameter of a through-hole of the regulating member21. This is to prevent the regulating member21from moving in the vertical direction more than necessary and to prevent the regulating member21from coming off. It is preferable that the distances between the bearing surfaces of the screws31and33and the surface of the case body2afacing the bearing surfaces be longer than the length of the regulating member21in the vertical direction. This is to reduce the friction acting on the regulating member21.

In the recording and reproducing device1described above, the regulating portion20is provided at least one position in the circumferential direction of the disk3. On the other hand, the regulating portions20may be provided at a plurality of positions (two positions inFIG.13) in the circumferential direction of the disk3as shown inFIG.13. When the regulating portions20are provided at a plurality of positions, it is also preferable that the regulating portions20be arranged in the circumferential direction of the disk3at regular intervals. As a result, when an external shock, vibration, or the like is applied to the disk3, it is possible to regulate displacements of the disk3due to bending of the disk3over a wider range.