Disk apparatus

There is provided a disc device achieving a reduced thickness by reducing as much as possible the space required for sandwiching operation by a turn table and a clamper while assuring the space where an inserted disc is conveyed inside the device. The disc device includes: a clamper unit having a clamper for sandwiching a disc-shaped recording medium by a floating unit held via an elastic member to a fixed frame; and a disc recording/reproduction drive unit having a turn table. The disc device is configured so that when the disc-shaped recording medium is sandwiched, a part of the clamper and a part of the turn table are contained in each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a disk apparatus which records and/or reproduces data on or from a disk-shaped recording medium such as CD, DVD or the like, and in particular, to a disk clamp mechanism for a disk-shaped recording medium for use in a disk apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, most of vehicles are equipped with disk apparatuses which record and/or reproduce data on or from disk-shaped recording media (hereinafter referred to as disks) such as CD, DVD, etc. In a disk apparatus of this type, the chassis having the turn table and the spindle motor mounted thereon has a floating structure that the chassis is supported by elastic means so as not to permit external vibrations to transmit to the turn table having a disk placed thereon. Such a floating chassis is provided with a disk clamp mechanism which makes it sure to reliably place a disk on the turn table (cf. Patent Literature 1).

The disk clamp mechanism in this disk apparatus causes the damper to press down the disk onto the turn table so as to hold the disk between the damper and the turn table.

Hereinafter, one of the conventional disk apparatuses is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 11 and 12shows the side views of a conventional disk apparatus, illustrating the operations of the essential internal mechanism thereof.FIG. 11shows the disk apparatus in which a disk is being loaded, andFIG. 12shows the disk apparatus in which the recorded data is being reproduced from the disk held between the damper and the turn table.

With reference toFIG. 11, the disk101to be loaded on the disk apparatus is led by the disk guide102and the guide roll103, and carried to the turn table104located within the disk apparatus. The damper105is located above the turn table104, namely, at a position away from the turn table104, and in contact with the damper stopper113. The damper105is supported by the shaft portion of the floating chassis107through the damper arm106, and is always urged toward the turn table104by urging means108provided on the shaft portion of the chassis107. The engaging portion109formed with the damper arm106is caused to come into contact with the clamper-driving member110so that the damper105can move away from the turn table104. When the disk101is inserted and carried to the turn table104, the clamper-driving member110is moved and disengaged from the engaging portion109. Then, the clamper105is caused to press down the turn table104through the disk101by the driving force from the urging means.

FIG. 12shows the disk101held between the damper105and the turn table104. The disk101held between the damper105and the turn table104is rotated by the spindle motor111so that data is recorded on or reproduced from the disk101by the optical head112.Patent Literature 1: the publication of JP-A-09-17081

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the conventional disk apparatus arranged as above, the clamper105is floatably engaged with the damper arm106, and the inserted disk is reliably held down by the damper105on the turn table. In the disk apparatus of this type, the damper105is located relatively distant from the turn table104while the disk is being carried, in consideration of the variability of the length of the clamp arm106from the point of application and the oscillation of the damper105in a floating state. In the field of disk apparatuses, one of the important problems is therefore to reduce the distance between the damper105and the turn table as much as possible while the disk is being carried inside the disk apparatus, to thereby reduce the thickness of the disk apparatus.

The present invention is intended to solve this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a disk apparatus including an inexpensive and thin clamp mechanism which is attained by reducing a space required for holding a disk between the turn table and the damper as much as possible while ensuring a space where the disk inserted can be reliably carried within the disk apparatus.

Means for Solving Problems

A disk apparatus according to the present invention comprises, as described in claim1, a stationary frame, and a floating unit which is disposed in the stationary frame through elastic means and which performs recording and/or reproducing on a disk-shaped recording medium, wherein the floating unit includes a clamping member having a damper for holding the disk-shaped recording medium and a disk recording/reproducing-driving unit having a turn table, and wherein a part of the clamping member and a part of the turn table are fitted in each other, when the disk-shaped recording medium is held between the damper and the turn table. The disk apparatus of the present invention, thus arranged, makes it possible to practically reduce the space required for holding the disk-shaped recording medium between the turn table and the clamper, while ensuring the space for reliably carrying the inserted disk-shaped recording medium within the disk apparatus.

Another disk apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, as described in claim2, the clamping member of the disk apparatus defined in claim1comprises a damper base rotatably combined to the chassis of the floating unit, a clamper-holding part combined or integrated to the clamber base through a clamp arm made of an elastic material, and a damper rotatably engaged with the clamper-holding part at and around the center of rotation of the disk-shaped recording medium. The disk apparatus of the present invention, configured as described above, makes it possible to engage the damper with the clamper-holding part in a smaller clearance to thereby reduce the space required for holding the disk-shaped recording medium between the turn table and the clamper.

A further disk apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, as described in claim3, a claw of the clamper-holding part is engaged with a hook of the damper inside the internal position of the center hole of the disk-shaped recording medium loaded on the disk apparatus defined in claim1, while the damper at the engaging position is being fitted in the shaft portion of the turn table. The disk apparatus of the present invention, configured as described above, makes it possible to reduce the clearance for the engagement of a claw of the clamper-holding part with a hook of the damper to thereby reduce the space required for holding the disk-shaped recording medium between the turn table and the clamper.

A still further disk apparatus according to the present invention characterized in that, as described in claim4, the hook portion is formed at the center portion of the damper of the disk apparatus defined in claim2, and in that the hook portion comprises a plurality of hooks formed at regular intervals on the same circumference, and a projection which is formed above the center axis of rotation of the disk-shaped recording medium and which comes into contact with the clamper-holding part when the disk-shaped recording medium is held between the turn table and the clamper. The disk apparatus of the present invention, configured as described above, makes it sure to reduce the space required for holding the disk-shaped recording medium between the turn table and the clamper, and makes it sure to rotatably engage the damper with the clamper-holding part.

A still further disk apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, as described in claim5, the turn table of the disk apparatus defined in claim3has a shaft portion for positioning the disk-shaped recording medium; in that the shaft portion has an annular groove formed at its part corresponding to a position at which a claw of the clamper-holding part is engaged with a hook of the clamper; and in that a part of the damper is fitted in the annular groove when the disk-shaped recording medium is held between the turn table and the clamper. The disk apparatus of the present invention, configured as described above, makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the turn table and the damper when the disk-shaped recording medium is held therebetween, and thus makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the clamp mechanism of the disk apparatus.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, a part of the damper and a part of the turn table are fitted in each other when the disk is held between the damper and the turn table, and therefore, the space required for holding the disk between the turn table and the damper is reduced as much as possible, while the space where the disk is reliably carried is being ensured. Thus, it becomes possible to reduce the thickness of a whole of the disk apparatus.

According to the present invention, the loading of the disk on the turn table is reliably performed, and the engagement of the damper with the clamper-holding part is made at and around the center of rotation of the disk, to thereby make it possible to carry out this engagement in a smaller clearance. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the thin disk apparatus equipped with a thinner and inexpensive clamp mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a disk apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of a disk apparatus without an outer casing, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2shows a perspective view of the disk apparatus shown inFIG. 1, into which a disk-shaped recording medium, i.e., a disk, is inserted.FIG. 3shows an exploded perspective view of the disk apparatus shown inFIG. 1, illustrating the internal mechanism thereof.

The disk apparatus according to the first embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 3has a function to perform recording and reproducing on the disk101such as CD, DVD or the like. The disk101is inserted in its diameter direction and loaded on the disk apparatus, to perform recording or reproducing on the disk101.

The disk apparatus of the first embodiment comprises an upper frame1and a lower frame9which are fixed to the outer casing, and a floating unit10which are elastically supported by a plurality of damper springs90made of an elastic material.

As shown inFIG. 3, the floating unit10comprises a clamping member3which tightly presses down an inserted disk101onto a turn table70and holds the disk101between itself and the turn table70; a disk-carrying member4which carries the disk101; a disk carriage-driving member5which includes a driving source, etc. for the disk-carrying member4; a traverse chassis6which locates the disk101at a recording/reproducing position; a disk recording/reproducing-driving member7which drives the disk101to rotate so as to record data on or reproduce the data from the disk101; and a printed board8which is disposed on a rear face (the reverse of the face for disposing the disk) of the traverse chassis6and which has electric circuits for controlling the driving of the respective mechanisms of the floating unit10.

The floating unit10thus arranged is elastically supported in a floating state by the plurality of the electrically insulating damper springs90fixed on the lower frame9.

FIG. 4shows the exploded perspective view of the upper frame1. As shown inFIG. 4, a disk guide2is rotatably held in suspension at two points from the reverse of the upper frame1. The two projections2a,2aof the disk guide2are fitted in and engaged with the holes1a,1aformed in the upper frame1, so that the disk guide2can be rotated a predetermined angle centering on the two engaged parts, relative to the upper frame1, on the side of the front of the disk apparatus.

FIG. 5shows a perspective view of the clamping member3. As shown inFIG. 5, the clamping member3comprises a damper30which is used to press down the inserted disk101, a clamper-holding part31which floatably holds the damper30, and a damper base33which rotatably connects the clamper-holding part31to the traverse chassis6through a damper arm32. The damper arm32which mechanically connects the damper base33to the clamper-holding part31is made of an elastic material such as a thin metal sheet, and regulates the pressure of the damper30for holding down the disk. The damper30is held by the clamper-holding part31while being rotatably engaged with the clamper-holding part31.

The clamping member3thus arranged is located above the turn table70, i.e., at a position away from the turn table70and in contact with the upper frame1, when the disk101is inserted and carried inside the disk apparatus. In the clamping member3, the damper base33is mounted around the shaft of the traverse chassis6of the floating unit10, and the damper30is rotated centering on the shaft by urging means (not shown) provided on the damper base33, such as a spring, a clank mechanism or a cam mechanism. When the disk101is not at a recording/reproducing position, the damper30is placed in contact with the upper frame1by the urging means, and thus is located at the position away from the turn table70. When the disk101is inserted and carried to the position (the recording/reproducing position) above the turn table70, the urging means urges the damper30to press down the turn table70with the disk101held between the damper30and the turn table70.

FIG. 6shows the perspective views of the disk-carrying member4, the disk carriage-driving member5and the traverse chassis6of the flowing unit10of the disk apparatus of the first embodiment.

The disk-carrying member4includes a roller arm40having a carriage roller40awhich rotates itself while pressing the disk101onto the disk guide2, to thereby carry the disk101. The carriage roller40aof the roller arm40is usually pressed onto the disk guide2by the urging force from a spring, and the carriage roller40ais moved downward (in a direction away from the disk guide2) when the carriage of the disk is completed to locate the disk101at the recording/reproducing position.

In the disk apparatus of the first embodiment, the rotation shaft of the roller40ais inclined a predetermined angle relative to the front of the disk apparatus at which a disk insertion/extraction port11is provided. This is because it is needed to obliquely carry the disk, since the disk apparatus is not arranged so that the locus of the motion of insertion or ejection of the disk101on the traverse chassis6can intersect orthogonal to a parallel line to the disk insertion/extraction port11of the disk apparatus, in other words, so that the disk101can move straightly in the fore and aft direction of the disk apparatus, when the disk apparatus is seen from just above. Therefore, the disk101inserted is carried inclining to the front of the disk apparatus at which the disk insertion/extraction port11is provided. In the first embodiment, the motor50of the disk carriage-driving member5is disposed in the proximity of the disk insertion/extraction port11of the front of the traverse chassis6, and a part of the recording/reproducing position is located on the rear side of the motor50. For this reason, the disk101is carried inclining from the disk insertion/extraction port11, in the first embodiment.

The disk carriage-driving member5shown inFIG. 6comprises the motor50which drives and rotates the carriage roller40aof the roller arm40when the disk is carried (in the loading operation) in the disk apparatus; a control slider51which holds the traverse chassis6unmoved on the upper frame1before the insertion of the disk and after the completion of ejection of the disk (in the unloading operation); a trigger lever52which detects the reaching of the disk101to the recording/reproducing position after the completion of the carriage of the disk; and a gear array which transmits the rotation of the motor50to the control slider51or the like. While the trigger lever52is seen at a position on the rear side within the traverse chassis6inFIG. 6, one end of the trigger lever52is in contact with the rear end portion of the control slider51, so that the control slider51is moved together with the motion of the trigger lever52. The other end of the trigger lever52within the traverse chassis6is located at a position where the other end of the trigger lever52can contact the edge of the disk101, when the disk101has reached the position above the recording/reproducing position.

The disk recording/reproducing driving member7and the printed board8are attached on the traverse chassis6which has the above disk-carrying member4and the above disk carriage-driving member5mounted thereon. Provided on the front of the traverse chassis6are disk detection levers41which are disposed in the front of the roller arm40so as to detect the insertion of the disk101into the disk apparatus, and a disk ejection detecting lever42which detects the ejection of the disk101. The disk insertion detecting levers41and the disk ejection detecting lever42are usually urged upward by forces from springs, and thus are located at predetermined positions on the upper side, when the disk101is not inserted.

As shown inFIG. 6, the disk detection levers41are disposed at and around both sides of the disk insertion/extraction port11, and are formed in the shapes of blades which spread to both sides and are raised at both ends. When the disk101is inserted into the disk insertion/extraction port11, the outer edge of the disk101presses upward the detection faces41a(the upper faces as seen inFIG. 6) of either or both of the disk detection levers41disposed at both sides of the disk insertion/extraction port11, so that the projections41bformed on the detection levers41press down a mechanical switch. When this mechanical switch is pressed down, the carriage roller40ais started to rotate, and this rotation of the roller40acarries the disk101to a predetermined position of the traverse chassis6.

FIG. 7shows an exploded perspective view of the disk apparatus, illustrating the disk recording/reproducing driving member7, the printed board8and the lower frame9. The lower frame9supports the floating unit10including the traverse chassis6, etc. through damper springs90. As shown inFIG. 7, the disk recording/reproducing driving member7includes the turn table70which is rotated with the disk101placed thereon, the spindle motor71for rotating the turn table70, an optical pick member72which records data on or reproduce the data from the disk101, and an optical pick driving motor73which drives the optical pick member72in the diameter direction of the disk101. The printed board8is attached on the reverse of the traverse chassis6, and has electric circuits formed thereon for controlling the driving of the respective mechanisms provided on the traverse chassis6.

Before the insertion of the disk, the traverse chassis6is located at a lower position within the frame which comprises the upper frame1and the lower frame9, because of the regulation by the control slider51and the pressing of the disk guide2by the roller arm40. When the disk101is inserted in this state, the disk101is put in between the carriage roller40aand the disk guide2and thus is carried to the recording/reproducing position. When the disk101has reached the recording/reproducing position, the traverse chassis6is put in a floating state and is moved upward, while the disk101is held between the turn table70and the damper30.

On the other hand, to eject the disk101, the damper springs90are compressed by the pressing of the roller arm40to the disk guide2and by the operation of the control slider51, so that the traverse chassis5is moved downward and located at the lower position in the stationary frame.

Next, the clamping member3of the disk apparatus according to the first embodiment is described in detail.

FIG. 8shows an exploded perspective view of the clamping member3, illustrating the detailed structure thereof. As shown inFIG. 8, the clamping member3comprises the damper30and the clamper-holding part31as separate components. The hook portion35formed on the damper30is rotatably engaged with the claw portion34formed on the clamper-holding part31.FIG. 9shows a sectional view of the damper30which is engaged with the clamper-holding part31located above the turn table70.FIG. 10shows a sectional view of the damper30which holds down the disk101onto the turn table70. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the damper30has the hook portion35raised at its center portion. Hooks35aare formed at and around the center of rotation of the hook portion35. In the first embodiment, a plurality of the hooks35aare formed projecting in the center axial direction of the rotation, and are disposed at regular angular intervals, surrounding the center axis of rotation. The undersides (or the reverses) of the hooks35aof the hook portion35are fitted in an annular groove70bformed in the shaft portion70aof the turn table70, when the disk is held between the damper and the turn table70. A concavity35cis formed at the lower side (or on the reverse) of the hook portion35at and around the center axis of rotation. A convexity70cwhich forms the inner wall of the annular groove70bof the shaft portion70aof the turn table70is fitted in this concavity35c,when the disk is held between the damper and the turn table. The shaft portion70ais fitted in the positioning hole101aof the disk101when the disk101is held between the damper and the turn table, and the outer upper portion of the shaft portion70ais formed as a sloped face so as to facilitate the mounting of the disk101.

As described above, in the first embodiment, a part of the hook portion35of the damper30and a part of the shaft portion70aof the turn table70are fitted in each other when the disk is held between the damper and the turn table. Therefore, the distance between the damper30and the surface of the disk becomes shorter when the disk is held between the damper and the turn table, in other words, the disk apparatus can be assembled with a smaller thickness.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the claw portion34is formed by cutting the clamper-holding part31at and around the rotation center axis and bending the cut portions. The claw portion34is L-shaped, and the tip ends thereof are projected in the circumferential direction. The tip end portions of the claw portion34are formed as claws34acapable of engaging with the hooks35aof the hook portion35of the damper30. When the clamping member3is moved upward and thus does not hold down the disk101, the claws34aof the clamper-holding part31are held upward floatably, engaging with the hooks35aof the damper30.

When the clamping member3as arranged above holds the disk101with the turn table, the reverse of the clamper-holding part31is in point contact with the top of the projection35bformed at the center axis of rotation of the hook portion35. When the clamping member3is rotated holding the disk101, the damper30alone is pressed down by way of the point contact with less contact resistance, and thus is rotated together with the disk101.

It is needed for the damper30to oscillate a certain angle in order to ensure the holding of the disk101when the disk101is inserted. In this regard, the “oscillation” means that the face of the damper30in contact with the disk is caused to oscillate relative to the recording face of the disk101. The amplitude of the “oscillation” is determined by a clearance (or a space) formed when the claw34aof the clamper-holding part31is engaged with the hook35aof the damper30.

As described above, the claw34aof the clamper-holding part31is engaged with the hook35aof the damper30at and around the center axis of rotation, and therefore, the “oscillation” of the damper30at a given angle can be ensured in a smaller clearance (or space) formed during the engagement of the claw34awith the hook35a.In the disk apparatus of the first embodiment, the claw34aof the clamper-holding part31is engaged with the hook35aof the damper30inside the positioning hole101aof the disk101formed at the center thereof, i.e., at a position close to the center of rotation of the disk101.

Therefore, in the disk apparatus of the first embodiment, the space required for holding the disk between the turn table70and the damper30can be reduced as much as possible, while ensuring the space for reliably carrying the disk101. Further, the disk apparatus according to the first embodiment makes it sure to set the disk101on the turn table70. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the engagement of the damper30with the clamper-holding part31can be executed within a smaller clearance, when the disk is loaded, and the amplitude of the “oscillation” of the damper30can be lessened, to thereby assemble the disk apparatus with a smaller thickness because of the thin and inexpensive clamp mechanism.

The operation of the disk apparatus according to the first embodiment is described below.

When the disk101is inserted into the disk apparatus of the first embodiment from the disk insertion/extraction port11thereof, the disk detection levers41are pressed down by the disk101to thereby detect the insertion of the disk101. When the insertion of the disk101is detected, the carriage roller40aof the roller arm40is caused to rotate holding the disk101onto the disk guide2. As a result, the disk101is carried to the disk recording/reproducing position within the disk apparatus. At this stage, the control slider51of the disk carriage-driving member5comes into contact with the upper frame1to thereby limit the movement of the traverse chassis6.

In the disk apparatus of the first embodiment, the roller arm40is attached to the disk insertion/extraction port11, i.e., the front of the disk apparatus, inclining thereto, and therefore, the disk101is obliquely inserted into the disk apparatus, at the front of the disk apparatus. This is because the motor50is disposed at the left side relative to the disk insertion/extraction port11of the disk apparatus as shown inFIG. 6, and because a part of the disk recording/reproducing position is located at the rear side of the motor50. Thus arranged, the respective mechanisms are efficiently disposed and organized on the traverse chassis6.

When the disk101has reached the disk recording/reproducing position, the trigger lever52contacts the disk101, so that the roller arm40stops its rotation and moves downward to the disk. This downward motion of the roller arm40to the disk also moves down the disk guide2in contact with the carriage roller40a. Since the disk guide2is held in suspension from the upper frame1, the disk guide2rotates centering on its engaging positions, and clogs a part of the disk insertion/extraction port11to thereby inhibit the insertion of another disk. In addition, the trigger lever52comes into contact with the disk101to thereby move the control slider51in a direction opposite to the inserting direction of the disk101. When the control slider51is moved in this way, the control slider51is away from the upper frame1, so that the traverse chassis6is elastically supported by the damper springs90, namely, the floating unit10is put into a floating state. In this floating state, the damper30of the clamping member3is pressed down to thereby hold the disk101together with the turn table70at the disk recording/reproducing position.

When the disk101is completely held between the damper30and the turn table70, the disk101is rotated, and the optical pick member72is simultaneously moved to perform recording or reproducing on the disk101.

For example, when an instruction to eject the disk is inputted from an external unit after the completion of the recording or reproducing on the disk101, the control slider51of the disk carriage-driving member5is moved to bring up the roller arm40, so that the disk101is pressed onto the disk guide2of the upper frame1. Then, the control slider51comes into contact with the upper frame1to thereby limit the motion of the traverse chassis6. At this stage, the disk guide2is brought upward to open the disk insertion/extraction port11.

The carriage roller40aof the roller arm40is rotated in this state to eject the disk101from the disk insertion/extraction port11. The ejection of the disk101is detected by the disk ejection detecting lever42provided on the traverse chassis6. The disk ejection detecting lever42is shaped in the form of a blade which is bent upward at its end, as well as the disk detecting levers41disposed at and around both ends of the disk insertion/extraction port11. While the disk101is being ejected from the disk insertion/extraction port11, the outer edge of the disk101presses down the detecting face42a(the upper face shown inFIG. 6) of the disk ejection detecting lever42. When the disk101has been completely ejected from the disk insertion/extraction port11, the end portion of the disk ejection detecting lever42is brought upward to thereby detect the completion of the ejection of the disk101. When the disk101has been completely ejected, the roller arm40stops rotating and is moved upward by the force from the spring and is stopped by the disk guide2and the lower frame9. Then, the ejection of the disk101is completed.

While the above embodiment has been described as the disk apparatus capable of both recording and reproducing, the present invention can be applied to not only the disk apparatus of this type, but also other disk apparatuses such as recording apparatuses and reproducing apparatuses for disk-shaped recording media.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is especially useful for compact disk apparatuses such as CD, DVD, etc. which perform recording or reproducing on disk-shaped recording media, and makes it possible to provide a thin disk apparatus capable of reliably holding a disk inserted therein.