Magneto-optical disk loading device

In an optical disk device of the present invention, a spindle motor is separated into (1) a first motor unit composed of a bearing member, a bearing support for supporting the bearing member, and a turn table fixed to a rotor magnet and (2) a second motor unit provided with a first stator coil. During a cartridge loading operation, after the first motor unit is moved towards an optical disk, the second motor unit is slidably moved to a space created by the movement of the first motor unit so as to be rotatably driven as a spindle motor, thus realizing a thinner spindle motor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an optical disk device provided with a 
thin spindle motor for rotatably driving an optical disk. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
An optical disk device capable of reading and writing information from and 
on a disk such as a CD, a CD-ROM, and a magneto-optical disk has been 
widely adopted due to fast accessing to desired information. Also, an MD 
(Mini Disk) having a smaller disk diameter has been spreading rapidly in 
recent years due to its easy handling, replacing compact disks and 
cassette tapes. 
In personal computers equipped with a magneto-optical disk device as an 
external information recording/reproducing device, a portable notebook 
type has been drawing an attention. Also, a portable type MD for allowing 
the user to enjoy music outside has been a focus of an attention as well. 
Thus, in both personal computers and MD, portability is of a great 
importance, and therefore a demand for thinner and smaller optical disk 
device has been increasing. 
Incidentally, main mechanical components of an optical disk device include 
a loading mechanism for transporting a cartridge holder holding a 
cartridge encasing a disk to a predetermined position, a spindle motor for 
mounting an optical disk so as to rotatably drive thereof with a 
predetermined rotation speed, an optical head for projecting a laser light 
onto an optical disk so as to record and reproduce information, an optical 
head transporting mechanism for controlling and transporting the optical 
head to a predetermined position on the optical disk, and other 
mechanisms. 
In the loading mechanism, a cartridge held in the cartridge holder is 
laterally moved, and after transporting the cartridge so that a chucking 
target section of the optical disk is above a chucking section of the 
spindle motor, the cartridge is lifted downward towards the spindle motor. 
A main chassis having the spindle motor and the optical head is provided 
with cartridge position determining pins which place the cartridge in a 
predetermined position. The optical disk is provided with a center hub 
made of a magnetic material, and in a vicinity of the chucking section of 
the spindle motor, a disk chucking magnet is fixed. The optical disk is 
held on the chucking surface of the spindle motor by the magnetic force of 
the chucking magnet. 
In the optical disk device having the described arrangement, since it is 
required to move the cartridge in the vertical direction with respect to 
the spindle motor fixed to the main chassis, it is required to provide a 
space in the optical disk device for the movement of the cartridge. The 
cartridge is slightly larger than the optical disk encased therein. For 
example, in an MD, while a disk diameter is 64 mm, the cartridge has 
dimensions of 68 mm.times.72 mm. Also, the cartridge has a thickness of 5 
mm, and normally, substantially 3.2 mm of space is required for the 
vertical movement of the cartridge required for mounting of the disk onto 
the spindle motor. 
The magneto-optical disk and MD are encased in a cartridge for easy 
handling; however, the vertical movement mechanism of the cartridge can be 
a problem in realizing a thinner optical disk device. 
In order to overcome this problem, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent 
publication No. 57431/1995 (Tokukaihei 7-57431) discloses an arrangement 
wherein instead of moving the cartridge in the vertical direction, the 
cartridge is laterally inserted with respect to the cartridge holder fixed 
on the side of the main chassis, and the spindle motor is lifted upward in 
accordance with the loading operation so as to chuck the disk onto the 
spindle motor. 
The diameter of the spindle motor is set so that the spindle motor does not 
interfere with a chucking region of the disk which is specified and the 
optical head positioned for recording and reproducing information on and 
from the innermost side of the disk. In an MD, the diameter of the disk 
chucking surface is set to 16 mm. Thus, the space required for the loading 
operation for chucking of the disk onto the spindle motor is significantly 
smaller when the spindle motor is moved in the vertical direction, 
compared with the case of moving the cartridge in the vertical direction. 
FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of the spindle motor. The arrangement of FIG. 2 
is a cross sectional view of a brushless motor which is generally referred 
to as an axial gap type or a surface facing type. A motor fixing section 
has an arrangement wherein a bearing holder 213 is fixed to a motor 
chassis 215, and bearing 214 is press-fit in the bearing holder 213, and a 
stator coil 212 is provided around the bearing holder 213 on a motor 
chassis via a flexible substrate 211. On the other hand, a motor rotating 
section has an arrangement wherein a rotation shaft 203 is press-fit on 
the center of a turn table 204 on which the disk is placed, and a rotor 
magnet 205 is provided around the rotation shaft 203. On the turn table 
204, a disk chucking magnet 207 is fixed. Between the rotor magnet 205 and 
the turn table 204, a thin iron plate made of a magnetic material is 
sandwitched as a back yoke 206. The motor chassis is made of a magnetic 
material such as iron, and serves also as a back yoke on the coil side. In 
order to avoid a direct contact between the turn table 204 and the bearing 
holder 213 during rotation of the turn table 204 so as to ensure smooth 
rotation, a sliding section 209 is provided. Also, in order to prevent the 
rotation shaft 203 from coming off the bearing 214, the end portion of the 
rotation shaft 203 is engraved, and a washer 208 is attached around the 
groove. The rotor magnet 205 is divided into a number of regions in the 
circumferential direction, each of which is magnetized with a north pole 
and a south pole in a direction of the thickness in an alternating 
pattern. 
FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b) respectively show a magnetization state of the 
rotor magnet 205. Here, the rotor magnet is magnetized with 12 poles. 
FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of the stator coil 212. Here, nine coils are 
provided around the bearing holder 213, and (1) coils 212a1, 212a2, and 
212a3, (2) coils 212b1, 212b2, and 212b3, and (3) coils 212c1, 212c2, and 
212c3 are connected in series, respectively. 
In a magnetic circuit gap composed of the rotor magnet with back yoke and 
the back yoke on the stator coil side (motor chassis), the stator coil is 
provided, and a current is sent to each coil, and by carrying out, for 
example, a three-phase half wave current control, the rotation of the turn 
table is controlled. 
As mentioned above, one of the effective means for realizing a thinner MD 
device is to lift the spindle motor, not the cartridge, when chucking the 
disk onto the spindle motor. However, lifting of the spindle motor in this 
manner has a limit when an optical disk device with an even thinner 
thickness is demanded. Assuming that the cartridge is moved only in the 
lateral direction when loading is carried out, and the lateral movement of 
the cartridge is barely made above the upper surface of the turn table of 
the spindle motor having a thickness of hi, in the spindle motor, the 
thickness h required from the lower surface of the cartridge to the lower 
surface of the optical disk device is minimized when h=h1. In the case 
where other components of the MD device, for example, the optical head is 
made thinner than the spindle motor, the height to the lower surface of 
the spindle motor determines the height to the lower surface of the 
optical disk device, namely, the height to the lower surface of the 
spindle motor becomes one of the factors determining the total thickness 
of the optical disk device. Therefore, it is required to make the 
thickness of the spindle motor thinner. 
Other mechanical components of the optical disk device include, other than 
the described mechanical components, magnetic field applying means for 
applying a supplementary magnetic field to a laser light converged 
position of the medium. 
The magnetic field applying means, for example in the MD device, have a 
magnetic head section composed of a slider member made of resin having a 
core section provided with coils. The magnetic head section is attached to 
the tip of an elastic suspension member so that the magnetic head section 
is in a sliding state when rotating the disk. The suspension member is 
fixed to a supporting arm integrally extending from a light pickup. This 
arrangement allows the suspension member to be moved in the radial 
direction of the disk integrally with the light pickup. 
Also, the magnetic head section, being in the sliding state, can be moved 
upward from the disk, namely, the magnetic head section can be moved in a 
direction so that the distance between the core section and the disk 
surface increases. Further, the magnetic head section can be held above 
the cartridge. 
When the cartridge is inserted into the optical disk device, the loading 
mechanism laterally moves the cartridge held in the cartridge holder 
towards the inside. Here, the magnetic head section is held above the 
cartridge by the magnetic head lifting mechanism so as to avoid contacting 
the cartridge being inserted. 
As described, the cartridge is placed in a predetermined position by the 
loading mechanism. Also, the magnetic head section held above the 
cartridge is lifted downward towards the disk surface by the magnetic head 
lifting mechanism. 
In this manner, the magnetic head section is held above the cartridge so as 
to avoid contacting the cartridge when loading. This further increases the 
thickness of the optical disk device, presenting a serious problem in 
realizing a thinner and smaller optical disk device. 
As a countermeasure, and as a method for realizing a thinner optical disk 
device having the magnetic field applying means, a method (referred to as 
Method 1) of retreating the light pickup integrally fixed to the magnetic 
head section outside of the moving region of the cartridge is available. 
In this method, instead of retreating the magnetic head section above the 
cartridge, the magnetic head section is retreated to a position adjacent 
to the cartridge when viewed from the top. 
However, in Method 1, the following problem is presented. That is, in order 
to make the optical disk device thinner, the distance between (1) the 
objective lens for converging the laser light on the medium surface and 
(2) the medium is required to be small. For this reason, in general, the 
cartridge is provided with a window for effectively converging laser light 
on the medium, and the objective lens of the light pickup is designed so 
that the objective lens moves into the window of the cartridge whose 
position has been determined. Also, in some cases, an objective lens 
actuator for controlling the position of the objective lens partially 
moves into the window of the cartridge. 
For this reason, after the position of the cartridge has been determined, 
when the light pickup in the retreat position is moved above the medium in 
order to access the recording medium which has been set, the objective 
lens and the objective lens actuator collide with the wall of the 
cartridge constituting the window. Thus, as in Method 1, when the light 
pickup is retreated outside the moving region of the cartridge, the 
objective lens of the light pickup cannot be moved into the window of the 
cartridge, and it becomes impossible to narrow the distance between the 
objective lens and the medium. This presents a problem that the optical 
disk device cannot be made thinner. 
As another method for realizing a thinner optical disk device, a method 
(referred to as Method 2) disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent 
publication No. 91850/1988 (Tokukaisho 63-91850) is available. In Method 
2, as shown in FIG. 78, the magnetic head section 103 and the light pickup 
102 are provided separately as non-integrated units. In FIG. 78, members 
101, 105 and 106, 107, 108, and S101 to S105 respectively represent the 
spindle motor, the driving motors, an encoder, a controlling circuit, and 
switches. When the light pickup 102 is subjected under tracking control in 
the radial direction of the disk 104 so as to be moved, the magnetic head 
section 103 is controlled such that the magnetic head section 103 is moved 
for the same amount the light pickup 102 has moved. Here, prior to loading 
the cartridge, the magnetic head section 103 is retreated to the retreat 
position so as to avoid contacting the cartridge, and after loading the 
cartridge, the retreating of the magnetic head section 103 is released, 
and the magnetic head section 103 is placed in a position facing the light 
pickup 102 via the disk 104. 
In Method 2, contrary to Method 1, the light pickup is not retreated. Thus, 
the light pickup does not collide with the wall of the cartridge 
constituting the window, thus allowing the objective lens of the light 
pickup to be moved into the window of the cartridge. 
However, Method 2 has the following problem. That is, the position of the 
light beam spot converged by the light pickup on the disk is always 
changing in accordance with the tracking position control. In order to 
carry out recording and erasing of information under this condition, it is 
required that the region (supplementary magnetic field applied region) to 
be applied with a magnetic field for recording and reproducing by the 
magnetic head exactly coincides with the position of the light beam spot. 
The supplementary magnetic field applied region has a characteristic of 
depending on an area facing the disk (core area) of a magnetic head core 
section. 
Here, in order to improve the rising characteristic of the applied magnetic 
field, it is required to reduce the inductance of the coils. Thus, the 
core area cannot be made larger; consequently, the supplementary magnetic 
field applied region becomes small. Therefore, it is required to always 
accurately carry out, with respect to the small supplementary magnetic 
field applied region, positioning of the light beam spot which is changing 
constantly. For this reason, when the magnetic head section and the light 
pickup are provided separately as non-integral units as in Method 2, a 
problem is presented in that the positioning of the magnetic head section 
on the light pickup becomes difficult. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thinner optical disk 
device. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a thinner optical 
disk device without interfering a positioning control of a magnetic head 
section on a light pickup. 
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a first optical disk 
device in accordance with the present invention is characterized by 
including a first unit composed of a turn table for mounting an optical 
disk and a rotor magnet fixed to the turn table, a second unit having a 
first stator coil, provided side by side with the first unit in a lateral 
direction, a first moving mechanism for moving the first unit upward when 
loading the optical disk so as to mount the optical disk on the turn 
table, and a second moving mechanism for moving the second unit in the 
lateral direction so that the second unit is adjacent to the first unit 
thereunder which has been moved upward, the second unit moved to a 
predetermined position for allowing the rotor magnet and the turn table to 
be rotatably driven in accordance with the magnetic field from the first 
stator coil. 
With this arrangement, it is possible to realize a thinner spindle motor. 
A second optical disk device in accordance with the present invention is 
characterized by including a light pickup for projecting a light beam onto 
a disk encased in the cartridge placed in a recording/reproducing position 
through movement within a moving region of the device so as to detect 
reflected light off the disk, magnetic field applying means for applying a 
magnetic field to the disk when recording and erasing information, loading 
means for carrying out (1) a loading operation for placing the cartridge 
on the recording/reproducing position and (2) an unloading operation for 
ejecting the cartridge out of the optical disk device from the recording 
and reproducing position, and switching means for moving, during loading 
and unloading operations, the magnetic field applying means to a 
predetermined retreat position outside a moving region of the cartridge in 
the optical disk device, wherein the magnetic field applying means are 
separatable from and linkable to the light pickup, the switching means (i) 
separating, during loading and unloading operations of the cartridge, the 
magnetic field applying means from the light pickup so as to move the 
magnetic field applying means to the predetermined retreat position and 
(ii) linking, during a recording operation on the disk in the cartridge, 
the magnetic field applying means to the light pickup. 
With this arrangement, it is possible to realize a thinner optical disk 
device without interfering with a positioning control of the magnetic head 
section on the light pickup. 
A third optical disk device in accordance with the present invention is 
characterized by including a light pickup for projecting a light beam onto 
a disk encased in the cartridge placed in a recording/reproducing position 
through movement within a moving region of the device so as to detect 
reflected light off the disk, a light pickup guiding member for guiding 
the light pickup in the radial direction of the disk, magnetic field 
applying means for applying a magnetic field to the disk when recording 
and erasing information, a motor for rotating the disk, and loading means 
for (1) loading the cartridge to the recording/reproducing position and 
(2) unloading the cartridge out of the optical disk device from the 
recording and reproducing position, wherein the motor includes (a) a first 
motor unit which moves towards the loaded disk and (b) a second motor unit 
which moves between a first space adjacent to the first motor unit before 
moving towards the disk and a second space which is created by the 
movement of the first motor unit towards the disk, and the movement of the 
second motor unit is guided by the light pickup guiding member. 
With this arrangement, it is possible to realize a thinner optical disk 
device. Also, the manufacturing cost can be prevented from increasing, and 
recording and reproducing can be stably carried out. 
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, 
reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
First Embodiment 
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing one arrangement of a main 
component (spindle motor) of an optical disk device of the present 
invention. In the present optical disk device, an optical disk is 
rotatably driven by the spindle motor of FIG. 1. Note that, in the 
following embodiment, unless noted, the use of the word "device" refers to 
the optical disk device. 
A bearing support 201 is provided so as to lift the spindle motor with 
respect to a disk when loading a cartridge encasing an optical disk. To 
the bearing support 201, a bearing unit 202 is fixed. The bearing unit 202 
is made of a material such as copper with oil, and for minuatualization, 
has an integrated structure composed of a conventional bearing holder and 
bearing. On the center of a turn table 204 (motor rotating section) on 
which a disk is set, a rotation shaft 203 is fixed with press-fitting, and 
a rotor magnet 205 is provided around the rotation shaft 203. The turn 
table 204 is made of a resin material to reduce the weight. On the upper 
portion of the turn table 204, a disk chucking magnet 207 is provided. 
Between the rotor magnet 205 and the turn table 204, a thin iron plate 
(magnetic material) is provided as a back yoke 206. In order to ensure 
smooth rotation of the turn table 204, and to prevent a direct contact 
between the turn table 204 and the bearing unit 202, a sliding section 209 
is provided therebetween. Also, in order to prevent the rotation shaft 203 
from coming off the bearing, the end portion of the rotation shaft 203 is 
engraved, and a washer 208 is attached around the groove. The rotor magnet 
205 is divided into a number of regions in the circumferential direction, 
each of which is magnetized with a north pole and a south pole in an 
alternating pattern. 
A stator coil 212 is provided on a coil support 210 via a flexible 
substrate 211. The coil support 210 is made of a magnetic material such as 
an iron plate, and serves also as a back yoke 211 on the coil side. 
Note that, because the magnetization state of the rotor magnet 205, 
positioning of the stator coil 212, and wire connections are the same as 
those in the conventional example described above referring to FIG. 3 and 
FIG. 4, explanations thereof are omitted. 
The spindle motor has the described arrangement. In the present embodiment, 
the spindle motor is composed of a first motor unit 216 and a second motor 
unit 217. All the components of the spindle motor except the stator coil 
212 and its bearing constitute the first motor unit 216, and the second 
motor unit 217 is composed of the stator coil 212 and its bearing. 
The first motor unit 216 is provided such that, due to the function of a 
lifting mechanism section 218 linked to the bearing support 201, the 
entire unit thereof can be lifted in the vertical direction. The second 
motor unit 217 is provided such that, due to the function of a sliding 
mechanism section 219 linked to the coil support 210, the entire unit 
thereof can be slid in the lateral direction. 
The thickness of the second motor unit 217 provided with the stator coil 
212 is set to a thickness the same as or not more than the lifting amount 
of the first motor unit 216 in the vertical direction. 
FIG. 5(a) through FIG. 5(d) illustrate a cartridge loading operation 
adopting a spindle motor having the described arrangement. The loading 
operation adopted here is of what is generally called as a front loading 
system or a slot-in system. 
(a) The spindle motor is composed of the first motor unit 216 and the 
second motor unit 217 which are positioned side by side. The first motor 
unit 216 and the second motor unit 217 are provided such that the lower 
surfaces thereof are on the same level. Namely, the lower surfaces of the 
bearing support 201 and the coil support 210 are on the same level. Also, 
the first motor unit 216 and the second motor unit 217 are respectively 
linked to the lifting mechanism section (not shown, described later) and 
the sliding mechanism section (not shown, described later) (see FIG. 5 
(a)). 
(b) A cartridge 220 inserted in a cartridge holder (not shown) is laterally 
carried to such a position that a disk 221 encased in the cartridge is 
coaxial to the spindle motor (see FIG. 5(b)). 
(c) In the spindle motor, only the first motor unit 216 linked to the 
lifting mechanism section is lifted upward by the lifting mechanism 
section towards the cartridge 220, and a center hub 222 of the disk 
(absorption target) is drawn to the first motor unit 216 by the magnetic 
absorption force of the chucking magnet 207 integrated with the turn table 
204 so that the disk 221 is held on the turn table 204. Here, since the 
first motor unit 216 is lifted upward, a space is created for the amount 
of the up-lifting below the first motor section chucking the disk (see 
FIG. 5(C)). 
(d) The second motor unit 217 linked to the sliding mechanism section is 
slid by the sliding mechanism section to the space below the first motor 
unit 216. Here, the rotor magnet 205 of the first motor unit 216 and the 
stator coil 212 of the second motor unit 217 face each other appropriately 
(see FIG. 5(d)). 
As a result, the components of the spindle motor, the first motor unit 216 
and the second motor unit 217, are integrated into a single unit, 
resulting in an arrangement the same as the conventional integrated 
spindle motor. 
(e) The stator coil 212 is provided in a magnetic circuit gap created by 
(1) the rotor magnet 205 having a back yoke and (2) the back yoke 211 on 
the stator coil side, and a current is sent to each coil, thereby 
permitting the rotation of the turn table 204 to be controlled by, for 
example, a three-phase half wave current control. 
In the case of carrying out an ejecting operation for taking out of the 
cartridge, the operation of (a) to (d) is reversed. 
The distance between the upper surface of the turn table 204 and the lower 
surface of the rotor magnet 205 of the first motor unit 216 is denoted as 
H1, the thickness of the bearing support 201 is denoted as H2, the 
distance between the upper surface of the stator coil 212 and the lower 
surface of the coil support 210 of the second motor unit 217 is denoted as 
H3, and the lifting amount of the first motor unit 216 in the vertical 
direction is denoted as .DELTA.H1. Note that, between the upper surface of 
the turn table 204 and the lower surface of the cartridge, a small spacing 
is provided in order to avoid the upper surface of the turn table 204 from 
contacting the cartridge when inserting the cartridge. 
Here considers the dimension of thickness H required between the upper 
surface of the turn table 204 and the lower surface of the spindle motor 
(lower surfaces of the first and second motor units) in the spindle motor. 
In the arrangement of (a) and (b), since the first motor unit and the 
second motor unit are positioned side by side with their lower surfaces on 
the same level, the dimension of thickness H required is the height of the 
first motor unit, that is, H1+H2. 
In the arrangement of (c), the lifting amount .DELTA.H1 of the first motor 
unit is required, whereas in the arrangement of (d), since the second 
motor unit needs to be slid only in the lateral direction and satisfies 
the condition of H3.ltoreq..DELTA.H1, it is not required to provide an 
additional height. 
Hence, the dimension of the thickness H required between the upper surface 
of the turn table and the lower surface of the spindle motor is determined 
by the following equation. 
EQU H=H1+H2+.DELTA.H1 
The following considers a case, as a comparative example, the dimension of 
thickness T between the upper surface of the turn table and the lower 
surface of spindle motor (lower surface of motor chassis), which is 
required in the conventional integrated spindle motor. In the arrangement 
of the motor shown in FIG. 2, the height of the spindle motor T1 between 
the upper surface of the turn table and the lower surface of the motor 
chassis can be represented by the equation of T1=H1+H3. Note that, here, 
the thickness H2 of the bearing support 201 of the first motor unit 216 of 
the present embodiment is not included in the equation, because the 
bearing support 201 is required only when the first motor unit and the 
second motor unit are provided as separate units. The lifting amount 
.DELTA.H2 of the integrated spindle motor when chucking the disk is the 
same as that in the separated spindle motors so that .DELTA.H2=.DELTA.H1. 
Hence, the dimension of the thickness T required between the lower surface 
of the cartridge and the lower surface of the device is represented by the 
following condition: 
EQU T=T1+.DELTA.H2=H1+H3+.DELTA.H1 
The following considers a case where the dimensions of the thickness T of 
the comparative example (conventional example) and the thickness H of the 
present embodiment between the upper surface of the turn table and the 
lower surface of the spindle motor, respectively, are compared. The 
difference between the thickness T and the thickness H is represented by 
the following equation: 
EQU T-H=H3=H2 
Here, considering 1 the bearing support 201 of the first motor unit 216 of 
the present embodiment can be made of a thin plate, namely, H2 can take a 
significantly small value, and 2 the height between the upper surface of 
the stator coil and the lower surface of the coil support is increased in 
accordance with the thickness of the stator coil even when the thickness 
of the coil support and the thickness of the bearing support are the same, 
namely, H3 cannot take a significantly small value, H2 and H3 are related 
to each other by the following relation: 
EQU H2&lt;H3 
so that 
EQU T-H=H3-H2&gt;0 
Thus, as in the present embodiment, by adopting a spindle motor composed of 
separate units, compared with the conventional spindle motor, the 
dimension of the thickness required between the upper surface of the turn 
table and the lower surface of the spindle motor in the spindle motor can 
be made smaller. 
Note that, although the present embodiment adopts an arrangement wherein 
the bearing unit 202 is fixed to the bearing support 201, and the rotation 
shaft 203 is fixed to the center of the turn table 204, it is possible to 
adopt an arrangement wherein the rotation shaft 203 is fixed to the 
bearing support 201, and the bearing unit 202 is fixed to the center of 
the turn table 204. 
The following explains, based on an example, a first motor unit lifting 
mechanism and a second motor unit sliding mechanism when loading a 
cartridge. 
As shown in FIG. 6(a) through FIG. 6(c), on a loading base 231, slide 
guiding pins 232 and first lift guiding pins 233 are fixed, and on 
portions of a sliding plate 234 provided on the loading base 231, 
corresponding to the slide guiding pins 232, long slide guiding slits 235 
are formed so that the sliding plate 234 can be slid freely along the 
slide guiding slits 235. On one end of the sliding plate 234, a first 
bending portion 250 is provided. The first bending portion 250 is provided 
with a rack gear 236. Also, on the end of the loading base 231, a loading 
motor 237 is fixed, and a pinion gear 238 is provided on the rotation 
shaft of the loading motor 237. 
As shown in FIG. 10, the pinion gear 238 and the rack gear 236 are provided 
in mesh with smooth engagement. 
On the other end of the sliding plate 234, a second bending portion 251 is 
provided, and on the second bending portion 251, a long lift guiding slit 
239 having an inclined portion is provided. Also, on the sliding plate 
234, a first stator coil 212 is provided. The sliding plate 234 also 
serves as a back yoke, constituting the second motor unit. 
On portions of a lifting plate 240, corresponding to the lift guiding pins 
233, lift guiding slits 241 are provided so that the lifting plate 240 can 
be lifted freely in the vertical direction along the lift guiding pins 
233. As shown in FIG. 9, on one end of the lifting plate 240, a bending 
portion 252 is provided, and a second lift guiding pin 242 is fixed to the 
bending portion 252. Also, on the end portion of the lifting plate 240 
which serves as the bearing support, the first motor unit 216 composed of 
the turn table fixing the rotor magnet is provided. 
The following will describe operations of the first motor unit lifting 
mechanism and the second motor unit sliding mechanism having the described 
arrangements. 
FIG. 6(a) through FIG. 6(c) respectively show an arrangement wherein a 
cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge holder. The second lift 
guiding pin 242 of the lifting plate 240 is interlocked with the lift 
guiding slit 239 of the sliding plate 234. The second lift guiding pin 242 
is positioned at a bottom portion 239a of the lift guiding slit 239 so 
that the first motor unit 216 of the lifting plate 240 is positioned on 
the lower portion of the device, thus preventing interference with the 
insertion of the cartridge. The lower surface of the second motor unit 217 
of the sliding plate 234 is on the same level as the lower surface of the 
first motor unit 216, and the first motor unit 216 and the second motor 
unit 217 are positioned with a distance therebetween. 
When a sensor (not shown) detects that the cartridge has been inserted into 
the cartridge holder, a driving current is sent to the loading motor 237 
by a motor controlling section (not shown), and the loading motor 237 
starts rotating. When the pinion gear 238 of the loading motor is rotated, 
since the rack gear 236 provided on one end of the sliding plate 234 is in 
mesh with the pinion gear 238, the sliding plate 234 starts being slid. 
The sliding direction is restricted in one direction by the slide guiding 
pins 232 and the slide guiding slits 235. Also, the moving direction of 
the lifting plate 240 is restricted in the vertical direction by the first 
lift guiding pins 233 and the lift guiding slits 241. Thus, when the 
sliding plate 234 slides, the second lift guiding pin 242 interlocked with 
the lift guiding slit 239 of the sliding plate 234 moves along the 
inclined portion 239b of the lift guiding slit 239. As a result, the first 
motor unit 216 of the lifting plate 240 moves upward by the amount of 
.DELTA.k which is the height of the inclined portion 239b of the lift 
guiding slit 239. Here, the second motor unit 217 provided with the stator 
coil 212 is moved to a position in a vicinity of the first motor unit 216 
in accordance with the sliding made by the sliding plate 234. FIG. 7(a) 
through FIG. 7(c) illustrate how this is carried out. 
When the loading motor is driven further, and the sliding plate 234 is 
moved, since the second lift guiding pin 242 is interlocked with a level 
portion 239c of the lift guiding slit 239, the first motor unit 216 on the 
lifting plate 240 is not moved in the vertical direction, but is fixed. On 
the other hand, the second motor unit 217 on the sliding plate 234 is 
moved in accordance with the movement of the sliding plate 234 to a space 
which had been occupied by the first motor unit 216 prior to moving 
upward. The second motor unit 217 thus moved below the first motor unit 
216, together with the first motor unit 216, functions as the spindle 
motor, and in response to a signal from a sensor (not shown) upon 
detecting this positioning of the first motor unit 216 and the second 
motor unit 217, the motor driving current from the motor controlling 
section is cut off, thus stopping the rotation of the loading motor. FIG. 
8(a) through FIG. 8(c) illustrate how this is carried out. 
In the case of carrying out an ejecting operation for taking out of the 
cartridge, the described operation is carried out in the reversed order by 
reversing the rotation direction of the loading motor. 
Note that, although the explanations given above are based on a system 
wherein the sliding plate is moved by the loading motor, the present 
invention is not limited to the specified one. As long as the lifting 
operation of the first motor unit and the sliding operation of the second 
motor unit are appropriately carried out, other systems, such as a system 
wherein the sliding plate is moved by a spring force of a coil, may be 
adopted. 
Second Embodiment 
The optical disk device of the present embodiment is characterized by the 
bearing support 201 provided on the spindle motor of the optical disk 
device of First Embodiment. Other members of the present embodiment have 
the same functions as that of First Embodiment, and therefore are given 
the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof are omitted. 
FIG. 11 shows a magnetic circuit in the case where the bearing support 201 
is not inserted into a magnetic gap between the rotor magnet 205 and the 
stator coil 212. The rotor magnet 205 is divided into a number of regions 
in the circumferential direction, each of which is magnetized with a north 
pole and a south pole in an alternating pattern. The arrow in FIG. 11 
indicates a magnetic line. 
The rotor magnet 205, the stator coil side back yoke (coil support) 210, 
and the rotor magnet side back yoke 206 constitute a magnetic circuit 223, 
and a spacing between the rotor magnet 205 and the stator coil side back 
yoke 210 is a magnetic gap. In the magnetic gap is the stator coil 212 
which is fixed to the back yoke 210 on the stator coil side. 
FIG. 12 shows a magnetic circuit wherein the bearing support 201 is 
inserted into the magnetic gap between the rotor magnet 205 and the stator 
coil 212. In the case where the bearing support 201 is made of a magnetic 
material, a single magnetic path 224a is formed by the rotor magnet 205, 
the bearing support 201, and the rotor magnet side back yoke 206. Thus, 
leaking magnetic flux 224b from the magnetic path 224a is the only 
magnetic flux at the gap portion where the stator coil is provided so that 
the quantity of the magnetic flux at this portion is fewer than that at 
the portion where the bearing support 201 is not provided, and therefore 
only a small magnetic flux density is obtained. As a result, the rotation 
driving force of the rotor magnet obtained while energizing the stator 
coil becomes weak. 
In order to solve this problem, in the present embodiment, the bearing 
support 201 is made of a non-magnetic material. FIG. 13 shows a magnetic 
circuit in the case where the bearing support 201 made of a non-magnetic 
material is inserted into the magnetic gap between the rotor magnet 205 
and the stator coil 212. Since the bearing support 201 is made of a 
non-magnetic material, the magnetic flux transmits through the bearing 
support 201. Thus, the same magnetic circuit as obtained when the bearing 
support 201 is not provided is formed. As a result, it is possible to 
substantially completely eliminate the adverse effect on the magnetic 
circuit caused by the presence of the bearing support in the magnetic gap. 
Note that, in the above-explanation, the entire bearing support 201 is made 
of a non-magnetic material; however, a portion of the bearing support 201, 
facing the stator coil 212, may be made of a non-magnetic material. 
Third Embodiment 
The optical disk device of the present embodiment has the same arrangement 
as that of First Embodiment or Second Embodiment except that the shape of 
the stator coil 212 is modified. 
In First and Second Embodiment, the stator coil 212 is provided below the 
bearing support 201. With this arrangement, it is required that the 
combined thickness of the stator coil 212 and the stator coil side back 
yoke 210 be confined only in the range of the lifting amount of the first 
motor unit 216, and therefore it is difficult to ensure a sufficient 
number of winding wires around the stator coil 212. Also, in First and 
Second Embodiment, the examples are based on the case wherein the lifting 
operation in the vertical direction required for chucking of the disk onto 
the spindle motor is carried out entirely by the spindle motor. However, 
for example, in a recording-reproducing MD device, in order to provide a 
space for an external magnetic field generating head, which is required 
for recording of information, on the opposite side of an optical head on 
the other side of the disk, there is a case where it is required to share 
the lifting amount by the down-lifting of the cartridge and the up-lifting 
of the spindle motor. In such a case, the lifting amount of the spindle 
motor is further reduced, and it becomes impossible to provide a space for 
winding of wires around the stator coil 212. 
FIG. 14 is a plan view of an optical disk device having an arrangement 
wherein a cut-out portion is provided on the second motor unit 217 so as 
to prevent interference of the second motor unit 217 with the bearing 
support 201 of the first motor unit 216 when sliding. The second motor 
unit 217 composed of the stator coil 212 and the stator coil side back 
yoke 210 is provided with a cut-out portion 225, and is linked to the 
sliding mechanism section (not shown). 
As described, in the cartridge loading operation, the first motor unit 216 
is lifted upward by the lifting mechanism section with respect to the 
cartridge which has been moved laterally, and the second motor unit 217 is 
moved by the sliding mechanism section to the space created by the 
uplifting of the first motor unit 216. The cut-out portion 225 of the 
second motor unit 217 is provided in such a shape that interference with 
the bearing support 201 of the first motor unit 216 is not caused when the 
second motor unit 217 is slidably moved. 
FIG. 15(a) is a cross sectional view of the spindle motor prior to 
up-lifting of the first motor unit 216. The lower surface of the coil 
support (stator coil side back yoke) 210 is on the same level as the lower 
surface of the bearing support 201 of the first motor unit 216. 
FIG. 15(b) is a cross sectional view of the spindle motor prior to sliding 
of the second motor unit 217 after the up-lifting of the first motor unit 
216. The upper surface of the stator coil 212 is on the same level as the 
upper surface of the bearing support 201 of the first motor unit 216. 
FIG. 15(c) is a cross sectional view of the spindle motor after sliding of 
the second motor unit 217 is made. The upper surface of the stator coil 
212 is on the substantially same level as the upper surface of the bearing 
support 201. 
As described, the optical disk device of the present embodiment has an 
arrangement wherein the cut-out portion is provided on the second motor 
unit so as to avoid interference of the cut-out portion with the bearing 
support of the first motor unit when sliding is made by the second motor 
unit. For this reason, it is not required, unlike First and Second 
Embodiment, that the upper surface of the stator coil 212 be lower than 
the lower surface of the bearing support 201 of the first motor unit 216, 
and therefore it is possible to provide a large margin for the stator coil 
212 by the amount of the thickness of the bearing support 201, thereby 
allowing a sufficient number of winding wires around the coil. 
Fourth Embodiment 
In Third Embodiment, because the second motor unit 217 is partially cut-out 
in a shape which does not cause interference with the bearing support 201 
when sliding, and because no coil is provided on this cut-out portion, no 
motor rotation driving force is generated thereon. 
The optical disk device of the present embodiment aims to overcome this 
drawback by proving the bearing support 201 with a cut-out stator coil as 
a second stator coil so as to increase the motor rotation driving force. 
Although it is preferable that a winding coil such as the first stator coil 
is provided on the bearing support 201, in the arrangement of a thin motor 
of FIG. 7, there is substantially no space for such a winding coil between 
the bearing support 201 and the rotor magnet 205. 
Incidentally, a stator coil which is generally adopted has an arrangement 
wherein a plurality of coils, each wound with a copper wire covered with 
an insulated sheath for a predetermined number of times, are positioned in 
a ring. Also, a new type of coil, an HP (Hybrid Pattern) coil has been 
brought into use in some applications as a successor of the conventional 
coil. The HP coil has an arrangement wherein a copper foil applied with an 
insulating material is wound in a spiral form, and a plurality of the 
spiral coil prepared in this manner are positioned in a ring and fixed by 
resin. One of the characteristics of the HP coil is that coils are 
directly fixed to one another by resin so that it is not required, unlike 
the conventional coil, to provide a substrate for fixing coils, and the 
substrate and the coils are provided as an integral unit, thus making the 
coils thinner. 
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the bearing support 201 is 
provided with HP coils 226 having the same thickness as the bearing 
support 201. The first stator coil (stator coil 212) to be slid and the 
second stator coil 226 provided on the bearing support 201 are combined 
with each other by a coil current controlling circuit section (not shown), 
and a current is sent to the coils, thus realizing a thin spindle motor 
with a large motor rotation driving force. Also, since the second stator 
coil (HP coils 226) and the bearing support 201 are provided as an 
integral unit, no additional space is required. 
Fifth Embodiment 
In the described embodiment, the first and second stator coils 212 and 226 
are combined with each other by the coil current controlling circuit 
section (not shown). 
Incidentally, in the described loading operation of a cartridge, the second 
stator coil 226 is lifted upward as the first motor unit 216, and the 
first stator coil 212 is slid to the space which had been occupied by the 
first motor unit 216 prior to moving upward. Here, both the first and 
second stator coils are moved, and since coils are connected to the coil 
current controlling circuit section via lead wires, the lead wires are 
dragged along with the movement of the stator coils. In particular, 
because the amount of sliding made by the first stator coil 212 is large, 
in order to take an account of the dragging of the wires by the first 
stator coil 212, a large space is required, and also the lead wires become 
susceptible to breakage by repeated movement. 
As shown in FIG. 17(a) and FIG. 17(b), when the first stator coil 212 is 
slidably moved, the first stator coil 212 and the second stator coil 226 
provided on the bearing support 201 become adjacent to each other on the 
coil sides. 
In the present embodiment, connection terminals are respectively provided 
on the adjacent sides of the first stator coil 212 and the second stator 
coil 226 so as to face each other, and as shown in FIG. 17(b), when the 
first stator coil 212 is slidably moved, and is adjacent to the second 
stator coil 226, the first stator coil 212 and the second stator coil 226 
are directly combined with each other via the connection terminals. 
FIG. 18(a) and FIG. 18(b) show how the first stator coil 212 and the second 
stator coil 226 provided on the bearing support 201 are directly combined 
with each other when the first stator coil 212 is slidably moved. 
FIG. 18(a) shows an arrangement before the first stator coil 212 is 
slidably moved. On the side portion of the first stator coil 212, a 
connection pin 227 is provided as a connection terminal. On the side 
portion of the bearing support 201 facing the connection pin 227, a 
connection jack 228 is provided, and in the connection jack 228, a 
connection contact 229 is provided. Note that, the connection pin 227 and 
the connection contact 229 are respectively connected to the first stator 
coil 212 and the second stator coil 226. 
FIG. 18(b) shows an arrangement after the first stator coil 212 is slidably 
moved. The connection pin 227 provided on the first stator coil 212 is 
inserted into the connection jack 228 provided on the bearing support 201 
so that the connection pin 227 comes into contact with the connection 
contact 229. 
The first stator coil 212 and the second stator coil 226 are directly 
combined with each other in the described manner. Thus, provided that the 
second stator coil 226 is connected to the coil current controlling 
circuit section, it is not required to connect the first stator coil 212 
to the coil current controlling circuit section via a lead wire. As a 
result, it is not required to provide a space for lead wires which are 
dragged by the first stator coil 212, and also the breakage of the lead 
wires caused by the repeated movement is prevented. 
Note that, it is possible to adopt an arrangement wherein no lead wires are 
attached to the second stator coil 226, and the first stator coil 212 is 
connected to the coil current controlling circuit section. 
Sixth Embodiment 
In the optical disk device of the present embodiment, in an arrangement 
wherein the stator coil 212 is provided with a cut-out portion as in Third 
Embodiment, a member for detecting the position of the rotor magnet 205 is 
provided on the bearing support 201. The following describes this 
arrangement. 
When carrying out a rotation control of the spindle motor, it is required 
to detect the position of the rotor magnet 205. This is because, as 
described above referring to FIG. 3(a) through FIG. 4, since the rotor 
magnet 205 is divided in the circumferential direction, and is magnetized 
with a north pole and a south pole in the direction of thickness, and 
because the direction of magnetic flux received by the stator coil 212 
facing the rotor magnet 205 is constantly changing, in order to maintain 
the rotation direction of the rotor magnet 205 constant, it is required to 
decide as to which coil of the stator coil 212 should be energized and in 
which direction. 
Although a sensor-less controlling system not requiring a rotor magnet 
position detecting element has been developed, a rotor magnet position 
detecting system adopting a hall element has been still widely adopted due 
to its simple operation of rotation control. 
As shown in FIG. 19, a hall element 230 is generally provided on the 
central portion of a winding coil constituting the stator coil 212. 
However, as the motor is made smaller and thinner, it becomes necessary to 
reduce the size of the stator coil, consequently, the central portion of a 
winding coil to be provided with the hall element 230 becomes 
significantly smaller. As a result, it becomes impossible to provide the 
hall element on the central portion of the winding coil. 
In order to counteract this problem, in the present embodiment, hall 
elements are provided on the bearing support 201. FIG. 20 shows an 
arrangement wherein hall elements 230 are provided on the bearing support 
201 constituting the first motor unit 216. Here, the bearing support 201 
is not provided with the second stator coil, but rather provided only with 
the hall element 230. With this arrangement, it is possible to accurately 
detect the position of the rotor magnet 205. Also, when the hall elements 
230 are provided on the central portions of the winding coils of the 
stator coil 212 which is provided circumferentially (cut-out portion is 
not provided), the detection of the rotor magnet position can be made in 
the same way as in the conventional method. 
Note that, a significantly smaller and thinner hall element has been 
developed, enabling an arrangement wherein the hall elements are provided 
on the bearing support, or an arrangement wherein the hall elements are 
provided as an integral unit with the bearing support. In the arrangement 
of the latter, as shown in FIG. 21, the thickness of the hall elements is 
within the thickness of the bearing support. 
Seventh Embodiment 
The optical disk device of the present embodiment aims to overcome the 
problem presented, as in Third Embodiment, when the second motor unit 217 
is provided with the cut-out portion. 
First, explanations will be given through a comparison with a case where 
the cut-out portion is not provided. 
FIG. 22(a) and FIG. 22(b) are schematic diagrams showing an arrangement 
wherein the second motor unit 217 is not provided with the cut-out 
portion. The turn table 204 is integrally provided with the rotation shaft 
203, and the rotation shaft 203 is inserted in the bearing unit 202. In 
order to ensure a smooth rotation of the rotation shaft 203 in the bearing 
unit 202, the diameter of the rotation shaft 203 and the inner diameter of 
the bearing unit 202 are set such that a small clearance is provided. As 
shown in FIG. 22(b), while the turn table is rotating, the rotation shaft 
3 rotates freely in the bearing unit 202. 
The coil support 210 on which the stator coil 212 is provided is made of a 
magnetic material, and serves also as a back yoke. The rotor magnet 205 
and the coil support 210 constitute a single magnetic circuit, and as a 
result, between the rotor magnet 205 and the coil support 210, a magnetic 
absorption force f2 (second thrust direction magnetic absorption force) is 
acting. The magnetic absorption force f2 acts in the thrust direction 
(rotation shaft direction) of the turn table rotation shaft 203. Here, 
since the second motor unit 217 is not provided with the cut-out portion, 
the magnetic absorption force f2 acts substantially uniformly over the 
entire circumference of the turn table 204. 
FIG. 23(a) and FIG. 23(b) are schematic diagrams showing an arrangement 
wherein the bearing support 201 constituting the first motor unit 216 is 
made of a non-magnetic material, and the second motor unit 217 is provided 
with the cut-out portion. Here, the coil support 210 is not provided 
uniformly around the turn table rotation shaft 203. The second motor unit 
217 is provided with the cut-out portion 225 so as to avoid interference 
of the cut-out portion 225 with the bearing support 201 of the first motor 
unit 216 when the second motor unit 217 is slid. 
Since the bearing support 201 is made of a non-magnetic material, no 
magnetic absorption force is generated between the bearing support 201 and 
the rotor magnet 205. In contrast, between (1) the coil support 210 
constituting the second motor unit 217 and (2) the rotor magnet 205, the 
magnetic absorption force f2 (second thrust direction magnetic absorption 
force) is generated; however, since the coil support 210 has a cut-out 
portion, the magnetic absorption force does not act uniformly over the 
entire circumference of the turn table 204. Because the magnetic 
absorption force acts only on a portion where the coil support 210 is 
provided, not uniformly around the turn table rotation shaft 203, the 
magnetic absorption force f2 acts in such a direction that the turn table 
rotation shaft 203 is inclined with respect to the bearing unit 202. 
As a result, a moment M acts on the rotation shaft 203, and as shown in 
FIG. 23(b), the rotation shaft 203 rotates in such a manner that the upper 
and lower portions of the bearing unit 202 makes a contact with the 
rotation shaft 203. When the rotation shaft 203 rotates in this manner, 
the load of rotation is increased. As a result, (1) the chance of damaging 
the bearing and (2) a rotation driving current are increased, and because 
the load is concentrated on certain portions of the bearing, the bearing 
and the rotation shaft are scratched, causing a noise to generate, thereby 
lowering the operativity of the spindle motor. 
In the present embodiment, the bearing support 201 is made of a magnetic 
material, and the strength of the magnetic absorption force acting between 
the bearing support 201 and the rotor magnet 205 is balanced with the 
strength of the magnetic absorption force acting between the coil support 
210 and the rotor magnet 205. When the strength of the magnetic absorption 
force f1 (first thrust direction magnetic absorption force) acting between 
the rotor magnet 205 and the bearing support 201 provided above the 
cut-out portion of the coil support 210 is optimized, the magnetic 
absorption forces f1 and f2 act substantially uniformly over the entire 
circumference of the turn table, thus suppressing the moment acting on the 
turn table rotation shaft 203. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24(a) and 
FIG. 24(b), the rotation shaft 203 can be freely rotated in the bearing 
unit 202, and lowering of operativity of the spindle motor can be 
prevented. 
Eighth Embodiment 
The optical disk device of the present embodiment is a modification of the 
optical disk device of Seventh Embodiment. 
FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 are schematic diagrams respectively showing one 
arrangement of a main component of the optical disk device of the present 
embodiment. Here, the bearing support 201 is made of a non-magnetic 
material, and an absorbing member made of a magnetic material is 
integrally provided with the bearing support 201. Because the bearing 
support 201 is made of a non-magnetic material, no magnetic absorption 
force is generated between the bearing support 201 and the rotor magnet 
205. 
In the arrangement of FIG. 25, an absorbing member made of a magnetic 
material is integrally provided with the bearing support 201. For example, 
an absorbing member 243 made of an iron plate is integrally provided, by 
the insert molding means, etc., with the bearing support 201 made of a 
resin material which is non-magnetic. The shape (size, thickness, etc.) of 
the absorbing member 243 is optimized so that (1) the strength of the 
magnetic absorption force acting between the absorbing member 243 and the 
rotor magnet and (2) the strength of the magnetic absorption force acting 
between the coil support 210 (second motor unit) and the rotor magnet are 
balanced, and the moment acting on the turn table rotation shaft is 
suppressed. 
In the arrangement of FIG. 26, an absorbing member 244 made of a magnetic 
material is attached on the bearing support 201 made of a non-magnetic 
material. 
The manner in which the absorbing member is integrally provided with the 
bearing support 201 is not limited to the specified one, so that other 
methods may be adopted, such as molding of the absorbing member with the 
bearing support 201. 
Ninth Embodiment 
The optical disk device of the present embodiment, as in Seventh and Eighth 
Embodiment, aims to prevent unbalanced moment from generating on the 
rotation shaft of the turn table. 
FIG. 27 is a drawing showing an arrangement of the optical disk device of 
the present embodiment. FIG. 27 is a plan view before loading the 
cartridge, and FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view after loading the 
cartridge. 
The stator coil 212 constituting the second motor unit 217 is fan-shaped so 
as to provide a cut-out portion, and the coil support 210 for fixing the 
stator coil 212 is provided in the substantially same form as the rotor 
magnet with respect to the entire surface facing the rotor magnet. The 
operation of the first motor unit and the second motor unit when loading 
the cartridge is the same as the one described in Third Embodiment. 
In the present embodiment, since the bearing support 201 is made of a 
non-magnetic material, no magnetic absorption force acts between the 
bearing support 201 and the rotor magnet 205. On the other hand, because 
the coil support 210 is made of a magnetic material, and has substantially 
the same shape as that of the rotor magnet 205, the magnetic absorption 
force f2 uniformly acts on the rotor magnet 205 and the coil support 210 
with respect to the entire circumference of the turn table. As a result, 
it is possible to suppress unbalanced moment from generating with respect 
to the turn table rotation shaft 203, thus realizing a spindle motor with 
superior operativity. 
Note that, although the coil support 210 has substantially the same shape 
as that of the rotor magnet, provided that the coil support is provided 
with respect to the entire facing surface of the rotor magnet, the shape 
thereof is not limited to the specified one. 
Tenth Embodiment 
The following will explain Tenth embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 29(a) through FIG. 36. 
The optical disk device in accordance with the present embodiment is a 
magneto-optical disk device provided with magnetic field applying means 
(described later) for applying a magnetic field onto a disk when recording 
and erasing information. 
FIG. 29(a) through FIG. 29(c) show one arrangement of a main component of 
the optical disk device of the present embodiment. A main chassis 1 is 
provided with (1) a spindle motor 2 for rotatably driving a disk 
(recording medium), (2) a light pickup 4 via a guiding member 3, and (3) a 
cartridge position determining pins 5. 
Also, on positions adjacent to the spindle motor 2, there are provided (i) 
a magnetic head section 6 composed of a resin slider member having a core 
section with coils and (ii) a suspension member 7 supporting the magnetic 
head section 6. The magnetic head section 6 and the suspension member 7 
constitute the magnetic field applying means. 
The suspension member 7 is fixed to a second supporting arm 8. The second 
supporting arm 8 is provided with two guiding openings 9. On the main 
chassis 1, a guiding pin supporting plate 10 is fixed. The guiding pin 
supporting plate 10 is provided with two second magnetic head guiding pins 
11, and the guiding openings 9 are interlocked with the second magnetic 
head guiding pins 11, thus allowing the second supporting arm 8 to be 
moved along the second magnetic head guiding pins 11. 
The light pickup 4 is integrally provided with a first supporting arm 12 
extending therefrom, and two first magnetic head guiding pins 13 are fixed 
to the first supporting arm 12. The first magnetic head guiding pins 13 
and the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 have the same diameter, and 
are coaxial to each other. 
A driving pin 14 is fixed to the second supporting arm 8. On the main 
chassis 1, a driving gear 15 is fixed so as to be free to rotate, and a 
cut-out portion 15a to be interlocked with the driving pin 14 is provided 
on a portion of the driving gear 15. Also, on the main chassis 1, a 
driving motor 16 is fixed, and a rotating section of the driving motor 16 
is provided with a worm gear 16a. On the periphery of the driving gear 15, 
a wheel gear 15b to be interlocked with the worm gear 16a is provided. The 
driving motor 16, the driving gear 15, and the driving pin 14 constitute 
switching means. 
The magnetic field applying means are linked to a magnetic field applying 
means lifting mechanism (not shown) for carrying out a lifting operation 
of the magnetic head section 6 (magnetic field generating section and a 
slider member of the magnetic field applying means facing the disk). In 
the lifting operation, the magnetic head section 6 is moved so as to be 
(1) in contact with or in a vicinity of a disk surface or (2) moved away 
from the disk surface. 
The following will describe, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 35, the 
operation of the described members when a cartridge encasing a disk is 
inserted into the optical disk device. 
FIG. 30(a) through FIG. 30(c) show an arrangement before a cartridge 17 
encasing a disk 18 is inserted into the optical disk. The second 
supporting arm 8 fixed to the magnetic head section 6 is positioned on the 
second magnetic head guiding pins 11. The second supporting arm 8 is 
positioned at a retreat position outside a cartridge insertion position so 
that the cartridge 17 does not come into contact with the magnetic head 
section 6 when the cartridge 17 is inserted into the optical disk device. 
Here, the position of the light pickup 4 is controlled by a light pickup 
transporting mechanism (not shown) so that the light pickup 4 is above an 
outermost side of the disk for recording and reproducing information of 
the disk outermost portion. When the light pickup 4 is in this position, 
(1) the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 integrally provided with the 
light pickup 4 and (2) the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 integrally 
fixed to the main chassis 1 become coaxial to each other with their end 
portions in vicinities of each other. 
The cartridge 17 is inserted in S11. Here, the magnetic head section 6 is 
in the retreat position, and the light pickup 4 is positioned on the outer 
side of the disk. FIG. 31(a) through FIG. 31(d) show a loading operation 
in which the cartridge 17 is inserted into the optical disk device. The 
cartridge 17 encased in a cartridge holder (not shown) is moved laterally 
by a loading mechanism (not shown) in a direction parallel to the disk 
surface towards the inside of the optical disk device (downward direction 
in FIG. 31(a) through FIG. 31(c)). 
In the case where the thickness of the optical disk device is to be made 
thinner, because the upper surface of the cartridge 17 is substantially on 
the same level as the upper surface of the optical disk device, it is 
impossible to position the magnetic head section 6 above the cartridge 17. 
Here, the light pickup 4 is moved to a position above the outermost side 
of the disk 18, and the second supporting arm 8 fixed to the magnetic head 
section 6 is, as shown in FIG. 31(a) through FIG. 31(c), moved to a 
position outside the moving region of the cartridge 17 (retreat position), 
thereby preventing the cartridge 17 from contacting the magnetic head 6 in 
the cartridge loading operation. 
In the retreat position, the position of the magnetic head 6 is maintained 
by a magnetic head lifting mechanism such that the upper surface of the 
magnetic head section 6 is substantially on the same level as the upper 
surface of the optical disk device, thereby preventing the thickness of 
the optical disk device from being increased by the projection of the 
magnetic head section 6. 
The loading operation is carried out in S12. In the loading operation, 
after transporting the chucking target section of the disk 18 to a 
position above the chucking section of the spindle motor 2, the cartridge 
17 is down-lifted in such a direction that the cartridge 17 is in a 
vicinity of the spindle motor 2. On the main chassis 1 provided with the 
spindle motor 2 and the light pickup 4, as described above, the cartridge 
position determining pins 5 are attached so as to position the cartridge 
17 in a predetermined position. The disk 18 is provided with a center hub 
19 which is made of a magnetic material. In a vicinity of the chucking 
section of the spindle motor 2, a disk chucking magnet 20 is fixed, and by 
the magnetic absorption force of the disk chucking magnet 20, the disk 18 
is held on the chucking surface of the spindle motor 2. 
In accordance with the down-lifting operation of the cartridge 17 towards 
the spindle motor 2, a space Q is created above the cartridge 17 which has 
been moved downward, between (1) the height (h.sub.1 in FIG. 31(a)) of the 
upper surface of the cartridge 17 during the lateral movement and (2) the 
height (h.sub.2 in FIG. 31(a)) of the upper surface of the cartridge 17 
after moving downward. 
In S13, the driving motor 16 is rotated, and the second supporting arm 8 is 
moved in a direction towards the first supporting arm 12. Namely, when a 
current is sent to the driving motor 16, the worm gear 16a provided on the 
rotation section of the driving motor 16 starts rotating; consequently, 
the driving gear 15 having the wheel gear 15b interlocked with the worm 
gear 16a is rotated in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 31(c). In 
response to this, the driving pin 14 interlocked with the cut-out portion 
15a of the driving gear 15 is moved in accordance with the rotation of the 
driving gear 15. As a result of the movement of the driving pin 14, the 
second supporting arm 8 is moved in a direction from the retreat position 
to the light pickup 4 side along the second magnetic head guiding pins 11. 
Here, the lower surface of the magnetic head section 6 is set to a 
position so as to avoid contacting the upper surface of the cartridge 17 
after moving downward. Thus, the suspension member 7 and the magnetic head 
section 6, fixed to the second supporting arm 8, are allowed to move into 
the space Q created after down-lifting of the cartridge 17. As described, 
since the first magnetic guiding pins 13 and the second magnetic guiding 
pins 11 are coaxial to each other with their end portions in vicinities of 
each other, the second supporting arm 8 is moved from a position on the 
second magnetic guiding pins 11 to a position on the first magnetic head 
guiding pins 13. 
When the second supporting arm 8 comes to a stop position where the 
magnetic head section 16 and the light pickup 4 are linked to each other 
(S14), the driving motor 16 is stopped (S16). FIG. 32(a) and FIG. 32(b) 
show an arrangement wherein the magnetic head section 6 is linked to the 
light pickup 4. The second supporting arm 8, having moved to a position on 
the first magnetic head guiding pins 13, is integrally linked to the first 
supporting arm 12. Because the moving direction of the second supporting 
arm 8 is always regulated by the first magnetic head guiding pins 13, the 
positional relationship between the second supporting arm 8 and the first 
supporting arm 12 when the linkage is made is always maintained constant, 
thereby allowing accurate positioning of a light spot on the supplementary 
magnetic field applied region. 
FIG. 33(a) and FIG. 33(b) show one arrangement of a linking mechanism for 
integrally linking the first supporting arm 12 and the second supporting 
arm 8 in the described manner. A linking pin 21 having a cut-out portion 
21a is fixed to a tip portion of the second supporting arm 8. On the first 
supporting arm 12, a linkage opening 12a receiving the linking pin 21 is 
provided, and in the linkage opening 12a, a fixed spring end portion 22 
fixed to the first supporting arm 12 is provided. When the second 
supporting arm 8 is moved on the first magnetic guiding pins 13 and comes 
to a position contacting the first supporting arm 12, the cut-out portion 
21a of the linking pin 21 and the fixed spring end portion 22 are 
interlocked. In this manner, the first supporting arm 12 and the second 
supporting arm 8 are integrally linked to each other. 
Then, the light pickup 4 is moved to a disk inner side (S16). FIG. 34(a) 
and FIG. 34(b) show an arrangement wherein the magnetic head section 6 and 
the light pickup 4 are integrally subjected to a tracking control. The 
light pickup 4 integrally fixed to the magnetic head section 6, in order 
to start recording and reproducing of information, is moved to the inner 
side of the disk by a pickup transporting mechanism (not shown). 
On the upper surface of the cartridge 17 encasing the recordable disk 18, a 
magnetic head insertion window 17a is provided. The magnetic head section 
6 integrally linked to the light pickup 4 is placed above the magnetic 
head insertion window 17a so as to be in a vicinity of the disk surface or 
made contact with the disk surface by the magnetic head lifting mechanism 
(not shown). 
As described, since the magnetic head section 6 and the light pickup 4 are 
integrally linked to each other, even when the light pickup 4 under 
tracking control is moved between the inner side and the outer side of the 
disk, the positional relationship between the supplementary magnetic filed 
applied region and the light spot is not changed. Therefore, a positional 
control for maintaining a positional relationship, required in an 
arrangement wherein the magnetic head section 6 and the light pickup are 
provided as separate units, is not required. 
The unloading operation for taking out the cartridge outside of the optical 
disk device is carried out by reversing the described loading operation. 
The following describes the unloading operation referring to the flowchart 
of FIG. 36. The magnetic head section 6 is lifted upward by the magnetic 
head section lifting mechanism (not shown) to such a position that the 
lower surface thereof does not contact the upper surface of the cartridge 
17 (S21). On the other hand, the light pickup 4 is moved to a position 
above the outermost side of the disk by the pickup transportation 
mechanism (S22 to S24). Thereafter, the driving motor 16 is rotated in the 
reverse direction (S25), and the second supporting arm 8 linked to the 
first supporting arm 12 is moved, via the driving gear 15, from a position 
on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 to a position on the second 
magnetic head position guiding pins 11 so as to hold the magnetic head 
section 6 on a predetermined retreat position in the side of the second 
magnetic head guiding pins 11 (S26 to S27). Then, the loading motor is 
driven (S28), and the cartridge 17 is lifted upward, moved laterally, and 
ejected out of the optical disk device (S29), and the loading motor is 
stopped (S30), thus finishing the unloading operation. 
Eleventh Embodiment 
The following will describe Eleventh Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 37(a) and FIG. 37(b). Note that, for convenience, 
members having the same functions as the members indicated in Figures of 
the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the 
explanations thereof are omitted. 
The present embodiment has substantially the same arrangement as that of 
Tenth Embodiment, and therefore the following explanations will be given 
based on differing parts. As described, even though the second supporting 
arm 8 can have a separatable and linkable arrangement with respect to the 
first supporting arm 12, when the second supporting arm 8 and the first 
supporting arm 12 are in a linked arrangement, it is required to maintain 
the linkage. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, Tenth Embodiment adopts 
an arrangement wherein the linking pin 21 having the cut-out portion 21a 
is fixed to the tip portion of the second supporting arm 8. In contrast, 
in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37(a) and FIG. 37(b), as a 
holding mechanism of the linkage, the first supporting arm 12 and the 
second supporting arm 8 are provided with a magnet 23 and an absorbing 
magnetic substance 24, respectively. Namely, the magnet 23 is fixed to a 
portion of the first supporting arm 12 where linkage to the second 
supporting arm 8 is made, and, and on a portion of the second supporting 
arm 8 made of a non-magnetic material, facing the magnet 23, an absorbing 
member 24 made of a magnetic material such as an iron chip is provided. 
When the second supporting arm 8 is moved by a supporting arm moving 
mechanism to a position where the first supporting arm 12 is provided, by 
the magnetic absorption force between the magnet 23 and the absorbing 
member 24, the first supporting arm 12 and the second supporting arm 8 are 
held onto each other. In this manner, by using the magnetic absorption 
force of the magnet 23, it is possible with a simple arrangement to ensure 
that the positional relationship between the first supporting arm 12 and 
the second supporting arm 8 are maintained. 
Note that, in the described arrangement, the first supporting arm 12 and 
the second supporting arm 8 are respectively provided with the magnet and 
the magnetic material; however, it is possible to have an arrangement 
wherein the first supporting arm 12 and the second supporting arm 8 are 
respectively provided with the magnetic material and the magnet. Further, 
it is also possible that the supporting arm is made of a magnetic 
material, rather than providing the supporting arm with the magnetic 
material. 
Twelfth Embodiment 
The following will describe Twelfth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 38 through FIG. 41. Note that, for convenience, members 
having the same functions as the members indicated in Figures of the 
previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the 
explanations thereof are omitted. 
Generally, there are two types of optical disks available: a read-only disk 
and a recordable disk. Also, an MD device comes in a reproducing-only 
device and a recording/reproducing device. A cartridge is provided with 
recognizing means for recognizing whether a disk encased in the cartridge 
is a read-only disk or a recordable disk. The recognizing means is 
presence or absence of a cut-out portion, or depth of the cut-out portion. 
A type of the disk is recognized by a recognizing sensor provided with the 
device. 
Incidentally, the magnetic field applying means (supplementary magnetic 
field applying device) are for applying a magnetic field to a light spot 
of the laser beam when recording and erasing information, and are not 
required for reproducing of information. In response to a development of 
smaller and lighter optical disk device, it has been strongly demanded to 
reduce the power consumption of the device. In order to carry out a 
tracking control of the light pickup, it is required to move the light 
pickup from the inner side to the outer side of the disk by the driving 
force of the light pickup transporting motor. In order to reduce the power 
consumption of the light transporting motor, a lighter light pickup has 
been demanded. 
In the optical disk device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 38, 
a recognizing sensor (detecting means) 25 for recognizing a type of the 
disk is provided on the main chassis 1. The following describes the 
operation of the recognizing sensor 25 referring to the flowchart of FIG. 
41. 
First, when the cartridge 17 (not shown) is transported to a predetermined 
position in the optical disk device by the loading operation (S31 to S32), 
and when the position of the cartridge 17 is determined by the cartridge 
position determining pins 5, the recognizing sensor 25 in the optical disk 
device recognizes whether a disk in the cartridge 17 is a read-only disk 
or a recordable disk in the following manner (S33). 
FIG. 39(a) and FIG. 39(b) illustrate the operation of the recognizing 
sensor 25. For example, in an MD cartridge, a recognition cut-out portion 
is provided. A cartridge encasing a read-only disk is provided with a deep 
cut-out portion 17b. A cartridge encasing a recordable disk is provided 
with a shallow cut-out portion 17c. A type of the disk is recognized based 
on whether the recognizing sensor 25 is turned on or turned off in 
accordance with the movement of a sensor pin 25a of the recognizing sensor 
25 provided on a position corresponding to the cut-out portion, wherein 
the recognizing sensor 25 is turned on when the sensor pin 25a is pushed 
in by the cut-out portion, and the recognizing sensor 25 is turned off 
when the sensor pin 25a is not pushed in by the cut-out portion. 
When it is recognized that the disk is a recordable disk, the magnetic head 
section 6 in the retreat position is integrally linked to the light pickup 
4 by the supporting arm moving mechanism in accordance with the movement 
of the second supporting arm (S35 to S37), and as shown in FIG. 33(a) and 
FIG. 33(b), the magnetic head section 6 and the light pickup 4 are 
integrally subjected to the tracking control (S38). Note that, since the 
details are the same as that of Tenth Embodiment, explanations thereof are 
omitted here. 
On the other hand, when it is recognized by the recognizing sensor 25 that 
the disk is a read-only disk (S34), the supporting arm moving mechanism is 
not driven, and the magnetic head section 6 is held in the retreat 
position. Thus, the light pickup 4 is not linked to the magnetic head 
section 6, and as shown in FIG. 40, only the light pickup 4 is subjected 
to the tracking control. Here, since the magnetic head section 6, the 
suspension member 7, and the second supporting arm 8 are not fixed to the 
light pickup 4, compared with the case where the linkage to the light 
pickup 4 is made, the weight of the movable section to be subjected to the 
tracking control is greatly reduced, thus significantly reducing the power 
consumption of the light pickup transporting motor carrying out the 
tracking control. 
Thirteenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Thirteenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 42 through FIG. 48. Note that, for convenience, members 
having the same functions as the members indicated in Figures of the 
previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the 
explanations thereof are omitted. 
The loading operation in which the cartridge 17 is laterally transported 
into the optical disk device and the disk 18 is down-lifted so as to be 
chucked with the spindle motor 2, and the unloading operation in which the 
cartridge 17 is ejected out of the optical disk device are carried out in 
the following manner. 
FIG. 42 is a drawing showing a mechanism for holding the cartridge 17, 
viewed from the far side of the cartridge 17 when it is inserted. As shown 
in FIG. 42, on the both ends (right end and left end) of a plate-shaped 
cartridge holder 26 for holding the cartridge 17, bending portions 26a are 
provided, respectively, for holding of the cartridge 17. Each of the 
bending portions 26a is fixed to a holder pin 27, and the cartridge holder 
26 and holder pins 27 form an integral unit. 
On the periphery of the cartridge holder 26, a base plate 28 fixed in a 
U-shape is provided, and on the both ends of the base plate 28, bending 
portions 28a are provided. On each of the bending portions 28a, as shown 
in FIG. 43(a) and FIG. 43(b), a lift guiding slit 28b interlocked with the 
holder pin 27 in the vertical direction is provided. Also, between the 
bending portions 28a of the base plate 28 and the bending portions 26a of 
the cartridge holder 26, a movable plate 29 is provided so as to be 
interlocked with the holder pins 27. 
The described arrangement generally has an arrangement shown in FIG. 43(a) 
and FIG. 43(b). FIG. 43(a) and FIG. 43(b) respectively show the mechanism 
of FIG. 42 as viewed from the right side, and the cartridge 17 is inserted 
from the right side. On the movable plate 29, a diagonal guiding slits 29a 
are provided, and each guiding slit 29a is interlocked with the holder pin 
27. As shown in FIG. 43(a), when inserting the cartridge 17 (not shown), 
the holder pin 27 is positioned at the upper portion of the guiding slit 
29a. As described, since the cartridge holder 26 is integrally provided 
with the holder pins 27, the cartridge holder 26 (not shown) is also 
positioned at the upper portion of the optical disk device. Then, the 
cartridge 17 is inserted in the lateral direction into the cartridge 
holder 26 manually. When it is confirmed that the cartridge 17 is inserted 
to a predetermined position, a loading motor (not shown) is rotated, and 
the movable plate 29 is moved in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 
43(a) and FIG. 43(b), i.e., in the direction opposite to the loading 
direction. Since the holder pins 27 are interlocked with the guiding slits 
29a and the lift guiding slits 28b, when the movable plate 29 is moved, as 
shown in FIG. 43(b), the holder pins 27 are down-lifted perpendicularly 
along the lift guiding slits 28b. Accordingly, the cartridge holder 26 
integrally provided with the holder pins 27 as well as the cartridge 17 in 
the cartridge holder 26 are also down-lifted perpendicularly, thereby 
finishing the loading operation. 
In the arrangement of FIG. 43(a) and FIG. 43(b), the unloading operation 
for ejecting the cartridge 17 out of the optical disk device is carried 
out by rotating the loading motor (not shown) in the reverse direction, 
and the movable plate 29 of FIG. 43(b) is moved in the direction of the 
arrow D, i.e., in the direction opposite to the unloading direction. In 
response to this, the holder pins 27 are up-lifted perpendicularly along 
the lift guiding slits 28b. In order to allow the light pickup 4 to record 
and reproduce information on the disk 18, the cartridge 17 is provided 
with a window, and for protection, a shutter is provided, covering the 
window. By the spring force of the shutter opening-closing mechanism for 
opening and closing of the shutter, the cartridge 17 in the cartridge 
holder 26 is ejected out of the optical disk device in the lateral 
direction. Since the mechanism of this operation is well known, detailed 
explanations thereof are omitted here. 
In the present embodiment, in addition to the described loading and 
unloading operations, a retreating operation and a retreating releasing 
operation of the magnetic head section 6 are carried out by using the 
driving force of the loading motor which carries out the loading operation 
of the cartridge. The following describes how these operations are carried 
out. Note that, for simplicity, the cartridge holder 26 and the base plate 
28 constituting the loading mechanism will be omitted in the explanations. 
Rather, explanations will be given in accordance with the operation of the 
movable plate 29. 
FIG. 44(a) through FIG. 44(c) show one arrangement of the optical disk 
device while the cartridge 17 is being inserted into the optical disk 
device. FIG. 44(c) is a bottom view of FIG. 44(b), and FIG. 45 is a view 
from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 44(c). 
As shown in FIG. 44(b), a loading motor (loading means) 30 for moving the 
movable plate 29 is fixed on the main chassis 1, and a rotation section on 
an end of the loading motor 30 is provided with a rotation gear 30a. Also, 
as shown in FIG. 44(c), the movable plate 29 having a U-shape is provided 
with a bending portion 29b which is formed by bending a portion of the 
upper surface of the movable plate 29 inward (downward direction in FIG. 
44(c)) in a U-shape. As shown in FIG. 45, the bending portion 29b is 
provided with a rack 29c, and the rack 29c and the rotation gear 30a are 
interlocked. Thus, by rotating the loading motor 30, the movable plate 29 
is moved in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 44(b), i.e., in a 
direction opposite to the loading direction. 
Also, as shown in FIG. 44(b), on the upper surface of the movable plate 29, 
a guiding slit 29d is provided. The guiding slit 29d is composed of (1) a 
guiding slit 29g which is an opening parallel to the loading direction on 
the movable plate 29 on the near side of the cartridge 17, i.e., an 
opening parallel to a direction in which the movable plate 29 is moved and 
(2) a guiding slit 29h which is an opening diagonally extending from the 
guiding slit 29h. 
Also, on the lower surface of the movable plate 29 (direction into the 
plane of the paper in FIG. 44(b)), a sliding plate 31 is provided. The 
sliding plate 31 is provided with two guiding slits 31a, at the both ends 
in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the movable plate 
29, extending in a direction parallel to the direction perpendicular to 
the moving direction of the movable plate 29. Here, guide pins la fixed to 
the base plate 28 are interlocked with the guiding slits 31a, and the 
guide pins 1a are positioned in the end portions of the guiding slits 31a, 
respectively, in a direction of the arrow +J in FIG. 44(b). Thus, the 
sliding plate 31 is movable only in a direction of the arrow +J from the 
position shown in FIG. 44(b). 
Also, the sliding plate 31 is provided with a slide guiding pin 31b on the 
central portion. The slide guiding pin 31b is interlocked with the guiding 
slit 29d of the movable plate 29, and is positioned at the end portion of 
the guiding slit 29d in a direction of the arrow E in FIG. 44(b), i.e., in 
the moving direction of the movable plate 29. 
In a vicinity of the end portion of the sliding plate 31 in the direction 
of the arrow E, a rack 31c is provided. Here, a linking gear 32 and a 
driving gear 33 are fixed on the main chassis 1 so as to be free to 
rotate. A cut-out portion 33b of the driving gear 33 is interlocked with 
the driving pin 14 of the second supporting arm 8 fixed to the magnetic 
head section 6 so as to move the driving pin 14 by rotation. The loading 
motor 30, the sliding plate 31, the linking gear 32, the driving gear 33, 
and the driving pin 14 constitute switching means. The linking gear 32 is 
a two-step gear composed of a larger diameter linking gear 32a and a 
smaller diameter linking gear 32b, and the driving gear 33 is provided 
with a smaller diameter driving gear 33a with steps. The larger diameter 
linking gear 32a of the linking gear 32 and the smaller diameter driving 
gear 33a of the driving gear 33 are interlocked, and the rack 31c and the 
smaller diameter linking gear 32b are interlocked. 
FIG. 46(a) through FIG. 46(c) respectively show a positional relationship 
of the movable plate 29, the base plate 28, the holder pin 27, and the 
cartridge 17 of the present embodiment. FIG. 46(a) through FIG. 46(c) are 
slightly different from FIG. 43(a) through FIG. 43(c). On the base plate 
28, a lift guiding slit 28b is provided in the vertical direction. On the 
movable plate 29, there is provided a guiding slit having an inclined 
portion 29e and a level portion 29f extending from the inclined portion 
29e. The holder pin 27 fixed to the cartridge holder 26 (not shown) is 
interlocked with the lift guiding slit 28b and the guiding slit having the 
inclined portion 29e and the level portion 29f. 
As shown in FIG. 46(a), a moment after the insertion of the cartridge 17, 
the holder pin 27 is positioned at the upper portion of the inclined 
portion 29e of the guiding slit of the movable plate 29, and accordingly, 
the cartridge holder 26 is also positioned at the upper portion of the 
optical disk device. A position, on the side of the guiding slit of the 
movable plate 29, parallel to the lift guiding slit 28b is denoted as F. 
Here, as shown in FIG. 44(a) through FIG. 44(c), the light pickup 4 is 
positioned on the outermost side of the disk, and the magnetic head 
section 6 is positioned in the retreat position on the side of the second 
magnetic head guiding pins 11. 
When the cartridge 17 is inserted into the cartridge holder 26, the loading 
motor 30 shown in FIG. 44(b) start being rotated, and the movable plate 29 
is moved in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 44(b). 
As a result, as shown in FIG. 46(b), the holder pin 27 is lifted downward 
along the inclined portion 29e of the guiding slit of the movable plate 29 
until the holder pin 27 reaches the portion where the inclined portion 29e 
and the level portion 29f meet. As a result, the cartridge 17 is 
down-lifted, and the disk 18 is chucked onto the spindle motor 2, thereby 
completing the loading operation. Here, a position on the side of the 
movable plate 29 (previously F) is denoted as G. As shown in FIG. 47, the 
slide guiding pin 31b fixed to the sliding plate 31 is interlocked with 
the sliding slit 29d on the upper surface of the movable plate 29; 
however, since the slide guiding pin 31b moves along the guiding slit 29g 
in a direction the same as the moving direction of the movable plate 29, 
even when the movable plate 29 is moved from F to G, the slide guiding pin 
31b does not move in the +J direction, but rather the position thereof is 
fixed. Thus, the magnetic head section 6 linked to the slide guiding pin 
31b via the driving gear 33, etc. is held in the predetermined retreat 
position. 
Then, the loading motor 30 is further rotated so as to move the movable 
plate 29 in the E direction in FIG. 44(b). 
Here, as shown in FIG. 46(c), since the holder pin 27 is interlocked with 
the level portion 29f of the guiding slit of the movable plate 29, the 
position of the holder pin 27, namely, the position of the cartridge 17 
which has been loaded is not changed. The movable plate 29 is moved to the 
end portion (right side in FIG. 46(c)) of the base plate 28. Here, a 
position on the side of the movable plate (previously G) is denoted as H. 
As shown in FIG. 48, since the slide guiding pin 31b fixed to the sliding 
plate 31 moves along a guiding slit 29h inclined with respect to the 
moving direction of the movable plate 29, when the movable plate 29 is 
moved from G to H, the slide guiding pin 31b is moved in the +J direction, 
and the sliding plate 31 is also moved in the +J direction. Then, the 
linking gear 32 interlocked with the rack 31c of the sliding plate 31 is 
rotated, and the driving gear 33 starts being rotated in the direction of 
the arrow A in FIG. 48. In response to this, the driving pin 14 
interlocked with the cut-out portion 33b of the driving gear 33 is moved, 
and in response to this movement of the driving pin 14, the second 
supporting arm 8 is moved from the retreat position towards the light 
pickup 4 along the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 and the first 
magnetic head guiding pins 13, thereby linking the first supporting arm 12 
and the second supporting arm 8. 
In order to move the magnetic head section 6 linked to the light pickup 4 
to the predetermined retreat position, the described operation is 
reversed. Namely, the magnetic head section 6 is lifted upward by the 
magnetic head section lifting mechanism (not shown) to a position where 
the lower surface of the magnetic head section 6 does not contact the 
upper surface of the cartridge 17, and the light pick up 4 is moved to a 
position above the outermost side of the disk. When the loading motor 30 
is rotated in the reverse direction so as to move the movable plate 29 
from H to G, the sliding plate 31 is moved in the -J direction. Then, the 
second supporting arm 8 linked to the first supporting arm 12 is moved 
from a position on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 to a position 
on the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 via the linking gear 32 and 
the driving gear 33, and the magnetic head section 6 is held in the 
predetermined retreat position on the side of the second magnetic head 
guiding pins 11. Thereafter, the movable plate 29 is moved from G to F 
(see FIG. 47). In response to this, the holder pin 27 is up-lifted, and 
accordingly the cartridge 17 is also up-lifted. Then, the cartridge 17 is 
ejected out of the optical disk device in the lateral direction, thereby 
completing the unloading operation. 
As described, by carrying out the retreating operation and the retreating 
releasing operation of the magnetic field applying means with the loading 
motor 30 which carries out the loading and unloading operations for 
drawing and ejecting the cartridge 17 into and out of the optical disk 
device, respectively, it is not required to additionally provide a 
magnetic head section retreating motor, and therefore it is possible to 
provide the magnetic head retreating mechanism inexpensively. 
Fourteenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Fourteenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 49(a) through FIG. 53(b). Note that, for convenience, 
members having the same functions as the members indicated in Figures of 
the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the 
explanations thereof are omitted. 
Even when a recordable optical disk is used, it is rare that the recording 
operation is always carried out, but generally, the reading operation for 
reading of information is carried out most of the time. During recording 
of information, the surface of the magnetic head section 6 facing the 
disk, namely, the magnetic field generating section and a slider member 
are in vicinities of or made contact with the disk surface. When the 
recording of information is finished, and in the case where the disk 
facing surface of the magnetic head section 6 facing the disk is not moved 
but is held in the vicinity of the disk surface, there is a danger that 
the magnetic head section 6 and the disk 18 are collided, resulting in the 
damage, and in the case where the magnetic head section 6 is made contact 
with the disk 18 for a period of time, a load is put on the spindle motor 
2 rotating the disk 18 so that the power consumption of the spindle motor 
2 is increased. For this reason, it is a common practice to adopt a system 
in which the magnetic head section 6 is made in a vicinity of or made 
contact with the disk surface only during recording of information, and 
upon finishing of recording, the magnetic head section 6 is retreated 
above the disk surface. For the driving source of the lifting mechanism 
for carrying out the lifting operation in which the magnetic head section 
6 is lifted in the vertical direction, a lifting motor is generally 
adopted. 
FIG. 49(a) and FIG. 49(b) show an arrangement wherein, in the cartridge 
loading operation, a lifting motor (separating-contacting means) 
(described later) 35 is used for (1) an operation of separating the 
magnetic field applying means from the light pickup 4 so as to move the 
magnetic field applying means to the retreat position outside the moving 
region of the cartridge 17 and (2) an operation of linking the magnetic 
field applying means to the light pickup 4 from the retreat position. 
Here, the cartridge 17 is placed in a predetermined position in the 
optical disk device by a loading mechanism (not shown). 
Under the suspension member 7 of the magnetic head section 6 placed in the 
retreat position, a lifting arm (separating-contacting means) 34 is 
provided. The lifting arm 34 is provided over the moving range of the 
magnetic head section 6 from the inner side of the disk to the retreat 
position. Also, the lifting arm 34 contacts the suspension member 7 of the 
magnetic head section 6 from below, and is slidable along the longitudinal 
direction of the suspension member 7. When the lifting arm 34 is 
positioned in a vicinity of the midway portion of the suspension member 7 
so that the magnetic head section 6 is not in contact with the cartridge 
17, as shown in FIG. 49(a) and FIG. 49(b), the lifting arm 34 is slidable 
only in the direction of +K in FIG. 49(a) and FIG. 49(b), namely, as will 
be described later, the lifting arm 34 is slidable only in a direction 
from the magnetic head section 6 towards the "root" of the suspension 
member 7. The height of the lower surface of the magnetic head section 6 
is set so as to avoid contacting the upper surface of the cartridge 17 
when the device is in the arrangement of FIG. 49(a) and FIG. 49(b). 
On the main chassis 1, the lifting motor 35 is fixed, and also a first 
sliding plate 36 parallel to the disk surface is provided. The first 
sliding plate 36 is provided with four guiding slits 36b, 36c, and 36d. 
The guiding slits 36b are linearly provided in a direction perpendicular 
to the sliding direction of the lifting arm 34, and two guiding pins 1b 
fixed to the main chassis 1 are respectively interlocked with the guiding 
slits 36b. This allows the first sliding plate 36 to be moved in the 
direction of +L, namely, the first sliding plate 36 is able to move in a 
predetermined direction parallel to the guiding slits 36b. Note that, an 
end portion of the first sliding plate 36, on the side opposite to the +L 
direction when the magnetic head section 6 is in the retreat position and 
is higher than the upper surface of the cartridge 17 is denoted as N. The 
guiding slit 36c is composed of a level portion parallel to the guiding 
slits 36b and an inclined portion which is positioned on the end in the +L 
direction of the guiding slit 36b. The guiding slit 36d is composed of a 
level portion parallel to the guiding slits 36b and an inclined portion 
which is positioned on the end in a direction opposite to the +L direction 
of the guiding slit 36b. 
As shown in FIG. 50(a) and FIG. 50(b), on the end of the upper side of the 
first sliding plate 36, a rack 36a is provided, and the rack 36a is 
interlocked with a rotation gear 35a of the lifting motor 35. FIG. 50(a) 
shows a portion of the lifting motor 35 as viewed from the left side of 
the optical disk device of FIG. 49(b), and FIG. 50(b) shows the 
arrangement of FIG. 50(a) as viewed from the right side, namely, FIG. 
50(b) shows an enlarged portion of the lifting motor 35 of FIG. 49(b). 
As shown in FIG. 49(b), on the main chassis 1 under the first sliding plate 
36, a guiding slit 1c is provided in the sliding direction (+K and -K 
directions) of the lifting arm 34. On one end portion (right side in FIG. 
49(b)) of the lifting arm 34, a driving pin 34a is fixed, and the driving 
pin 34 is interlocked with both the guiding slit 36d of the first guiding 
slit 36 and the guiding slit 1c of the main chassis 1. On the other end 
portion (left side in FIG. 49(b)) of the lifting arm 34, a guiding slit 
34b is provided in the sliding direction of the lifting arm 34, and two 
guiding pins 1d fixed to the main chassis 1 are interlocked with the 
guiding slit 34b. Thus, the movement of the lifting arm 34 is restricted 
only in the +K and -K directions. As shown in FIG. 49 (b), one of the two 
guiding pins 1d, which is on the side of the end in the +K direction, is 
positioned on an end portion in the +K direction of the guiding slit 34b. 
For this reason, the lifting arm 34 is movable only in the +K direction in 
this arrangement. 
On the other hand, on the upper side of the first sliding plate 36, a 
second sliding plate 37 is provided. on the second sliding plate 37, two 
guiding pins 37a are fixed. The main chassis 1 is provided with two 
guiding slits 1e in the -K and +K directions, facing the guiding pins 37a. 
One of the guiding pins 36 (lower pin in FIG. 49(b)) is interlocked with 
only one of the guiding slits 1e of the main chassis 1. The other one of 
the guiding pins 37 (upper pin in FIG. 49(b)) is interlocked with both the 
guiding slit 36c of the first sliding plate 36 and the other guiding slit 
1e of the main chassis 1. As shown in FIG. 49(b), the guiding pins 37a are 
positioned on the end portions in the +K direction of the guiding slits 
1e, respectively. For this reason, the second sliding plate 37 is movable 
only in the +K direction. 
On a side of the end portion (left side in FIG. 49(b) of the second sliding 
plate 37, a rack 37b is provided. On the main chassis 1, a linking gear 32 
and a driving gear 33 are fixed so as to be free to rotate. The linking 
gear 32 is a two-step gear composed of a larger diameter linking gear 32a 
and a smaller diameter linking gear 32b. The driving gear 33 is provided 
with a smaller diameter driving gear 33a with steps. The smaller diameter 
driving gear 33a is interlocked with the larger diameter linking gear 32a, 
and the smaller diameter linking gear 32b is interlocked with the rack 37b 
of the second sliding plate. The driving gear 33 is interlocked with the 
driving pin 14 of the second supporting arm 8 fixed to the magnetic head 
section 6. The lifting motor 35, the first sliding plate 36, the second 
sliding plate 37, the linking gear 32, the driving gear 33, and the 
driving pin 14 constitute the switching means. 
The following describes the lifting and moving operations of the magnetic 
head section 6. 
When the lifting motor 35 is rotated in the direction of the arrow M, an 
end portion of the first sliding plate 36 interlocked with the lifting 
motor 35 is slid in the +L direction. 
In response to this, as shown in FIG. 51, the first sliding plate 36 is 
moved to a position such that the driving pin 34a fixed to the lifting arm 
34 reaches the bending portion of the guiding slit 36d of the first 
sliding plate 36. Here, since the guiding slit 36d of the first sliding 
plate 36 interlocked with the driving pin 34a fixed to the lifting arm 34 
is in the same direction as the sliding direction, the driving pin 34a of 
the lifting arm 34 is not moved in the +K direction, and so the position 
thereof is not changed. Thus, the magnetic head section 6 as lifted with 
the suspension member 7 by the lifting arm 34 is held in the same 
position. Note that, a side of the first sliding plate 36 opposite to the 
+L direction when the retreating of the magnetic head section 6 is 
released and when the magnetic head section 6 is higher than the upper 
surface of the cartridge 17 is denoted as O. 
In the transition between the arrangement of FIG. 49(a) and FIG. 49(b) and 
the arrangement of FIG. 51, the guiding pin 37a fixed to the second 
sliding plate 37, interlocked with the guiding slit 36c of the first 
sliding plate 36 is moved in the -K direction along the inclined portion 
because the guiding pin 37a is interlocked with the inclined portion of 
the guiding slit 36c. In response to this, the second guiding slit 37 is 
moved in the -K direction, and the linking gear 32 interlocked with the 
rack 37b provided on the end portion of the second sliding plate 37 is 
rotated which in turn causes the driving gear 33 to rotate in the A 
direction. Then, the driving pin 14 interlocked with the cut-out portion 
33b of the driving gear 33 is moved in accordance with the rotation of the 
driving gear 33, and in response to this movement of the guiding pin 14, 
the second supporting arm 8 is moved towards the light pickup along the 
first and second magnetic head guiding pins, thus linking the first 
supporting arm 12 and the second supporting arm 8. Here, because the 
magnetic head section 6 is lifted by the lifting arm 34 to a position 
which does not allow contact with the upper surface of the cartridge 17, 
the magnetic head section 6 is prevented from contacting the cartridge 17 
when moved from the retreat position. 
FIG. 52 shows an arrangement wherein the magnetic head section 6 is 
integrally linked to the light pickup 4, and is positioned on the inner 
side of the disk. Here, the first sliding plate 36 is positioned at O as 
in FIG. 51, and the magnetic head section 6 is up-lifted by the lifting 
arm 34. When reproducing of information by the light pickup 4 is carried 
out in this arrangement, it is possible to reduce (1) the danger of the 
magnetic head section 6 colliding the disk 18 and (2) the load on the 
spindle motor 2 induced by a prolonged contact. 
When recording and erasing information, it is required to down-lift the 
magnetic head section 6 towards the disk. 
As shown in FIG. 53(a) and FIG. 53(b), when the lifting motor 35 is rotated 
so as to move further the end portion of the first sliding plate 36, the 
driving pin 34a fixed to the lifting arm 34 is moved in the +K direction 
along the inclined portion of the guiding slit 36d of the first sliding 
plate. As a result, in response to the slide movement of the driving pin 
34a in the +K direction, the up-lifting of the suspension member 7 of the 
magnetic head section 6 is released, and the magnetic head section 6 of 
the suspension member 7 is sprung down towards the surface of the disk 18 
by the spring force. Note that, a side of the first sliding plate 36 
opposite to the +L direction when the retreating of the magnetic head 
section 6 is released and when the magnetic head section 6 is moved 
downward towards the surface of the disk 18 is denoted as P. 
Because the guiding pin 37a fixed to the second sliding plate 37 is 
interlocked with a latter-half portion of the guiding slit 36c provided in 
the same direction as the moving direction of the first sliding plate 36, 
the guiding pin 37a is not moved in the +K direction, but is rather fixed 
in the same position. Thus, the linking gear 32 and the driving gear 33 
are not rotated. 
In order to move the magnetic head section 6 linked to the light pickup 4 
to the predetermined retreat position, the described operation is 
reversed. Namely, the lifting motor 35 is rotated in the reverse direction 
and the end portion of the first sliding plate 36 is moved from P to O so 
as to up-lift the magnetic head section 6 to a position where the lower 
surface of the magnetic head section 6 does not contact the upper portion 
of the cartridge 17. The light pickup 4 is moved to a position above the 
outermost side of the disk by the light pickup transporting mechanism. 
Then, the lifting motor 35 is further rotated in the reverse direction, 
and the end portion of the first sliding plate 36 is moved from O to N. 
This makes the second sliding plate 37 to slide in the +K direction, and 
the second supporting arm 8 linked to the first supporting arm 12 to move 
from a position on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 to a position 
on the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 via the linking gear 32 and 
the driving gear 33, thus holding the magnetic head section 6 in the 
predetermined retreat position on the side of the second magnetic head 
guiding pins 11. 
As described, by carrying out the retreating operation and the retreating 
releasing operation of the magnetic field applying means by the lifting 
motor 35 which is a driving source of the lifting mechanism of the 
magnetic field applying means, it is not required to additionally provide 
a magnetic head section retreating motor, and therefore it is possible to 
provide the magnetic head retreating mechanism inexpensively. 
Fifteenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Fifteenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 54(a) through FIG. 57(b). 
FIG. 54(a) and FIG. 54(b) respectively show one arrangement of a main 
component of the optical disk device in accordance with the present 
embodiment. On the main chassis 1, a pair of guiding members (light pickup 
guiding members) 3 are fixed. The light pickup 4 is provided so as to be 
free to rotate in the radial direction of a disk (not shown) via the 
guiding members 3, and is linked to a transporting mechanism section (not 
shown) for the tracking operation. 
The spindle motor 2 for rotatably driving a disk as a recording medium is 
divided into a first motor unit 40 and a second motor unit 41. The first 
motor unit 40 is composed of a bearing supporting plate 43, a turn table 
42, a rotation shaft (not shown), a rotor magnet, a bearing, and a disk 
chucking magnet. The second motor unit 41 is composed of a stator coil 48 
and a coil support 49 which also serves as a back yoke. The first motor 
unit 40 and the second motor unit 41 are respectively linked to a lifting 
mechanism section (not shown) and a sliding mechanism section (not shown). 
FIG. 54(a) and FIG. 54(b) respectively show an arrangement before the 
cartridge is inserted. The light pickup 4 is positioned on a portion 
corresponding to the outer side of the disk. The first motor unit 40 which 
can be up-lifted and down-lifted is positioned on the bottom of the 
optical disk device to avoid contacting the cartridge when inserting the 
cartridge. The second motor unit 41 is positioned in a direction parallel 
to the disk surface, namely, the second motor unit 41 is adjacent, side by 
side with the first motor unit 40 in a direction which does not add 
thickness. Also, the second motor unit 41 is provided so as to be freely 
slid via the guiding members 3 of the light pickup 4. 
Generally, an optical disk and MD are encased in a cartridge for easy 
handling which is a characteristic of such disks. However, conventionally, 
the vertical movement mechanism for the cartridge has been a problem in an 
attempt to make the optical disk device thinner due to the space required 
for the movement of the cartridge. In order to realize a thinner optical 
disk device, the present embodiment adopts an arrangement wherein the 
spindle motor 2 is divided into two components of (1) the first motor unit 
40 composed of the turn table fixed to the rotor magnet and (2) the second 
motor unit 41 provided with the first stator coil, and while loading the 
cartridge, the second motor unit 41 is slid to a space (second space) 
which has been created by the movement of the first motor unit 40 towards 
the disk, and the second motor unit 41 thus slid is linked to the first 
motor unit 40 so as to be rotatably driven as the spindle motor 2. The 
second motor unit 41, prior to moving to the second space, is positioned 
adjacent to the first motor unit 40 (first space). In this manner, by 
adopting an arrangement wherein the amount of down-lifting of the 
cartridge is shared by the down-lifting of the cartridge and the 
up-lifting of the spindle motor, the amount of down-lifting of the 
cartridge is reduced. Also, the spindle motor 2 is divided into an upper 
part and a lower part, and by positioning the two parts side by side prior 
to up-lifting, an increase in thickness of the optical disk device, due to 
the up-lifting of the spindle motor, is prevented, thereby realizing a 
thinner optical disk device. 
The following describes the described arrangement referring to FIG. 56(a) 
through FIG. 56(c). First, as shown in FIG. 56(a), the cartridge 17 is 
laterally inserted into the optical disk device. Note that in the present 
invention, unless noted, reference to "lateral direction" and "vertical 
direction" is made with respect to the case where the disk 18 is 
positioned above the spindle motor 2, and therefore the "lateral 
direction" and "vertical direction" do not necessarily indicate such 
directions in a general sense. Therefore, the present invention includes, 
for example, an arrangement wherein a disk in inserted into an optical 
disk device with its insertion opening perpendicular to the ground. 
Then, as shown in FIG. 56(b), the cartridge 17 which has been moved 
laterally to a predetermined position is down-lifted towards the spindle 
motor 2, and simultaneously, the first motor unit 40 is up-lifted by the 
lifting mechanism section towards the cartridge 17, thus chucking the disk 
18 encased in the cartridge 17 on the turn table 42. Here, since the first 
motor unit 40 is lifted upward, a space R (second space) is created for 
the amount of the up-lifting below the first motor unit 40 chucking the 
disk 18. 
Then, as shown in FIG. 56(c), the second motor unit 41 linked to the 
sliding mechanism section is slid by the sliding mechanism section to the 
space R below the first motor unit 40. Here, the rotor magnet (not shown) 
provided on the first motor unit 40 and the stator coil (not shown) 
provided on the second motor unit 41 face each other at a predetermined 
position. Here, the divided components of the spindle motor 2, the first 
motor unit 40 and the second motor unit 41, are integrated as a single 
unit, thus having the same arrangement as the conventional integrated 
spindle motor. 
As described, the spindle motor 2 is divided into two units, and when the 
cartridge 17 is not inserted, the second motor unit 41 is positioned 
beside the first motor unit 40, and when loading the cartridge 17, the 
first motor unit 40 is up-lifted, and the second motor unit 41 is moved to 
the space created by the up-lifting of the first motor unit 40. This 
arrangement allows the thickness of the spindle motor to be reduced, 
thereby realizing a thinner optical disk device. 
Incidentally, in the described arrangement, As driving members carrying 
out, after the cartridge loading operation, (1) an operation of up-lifting 
of the first motor unit 40 and (2) an operation of sliding the second 
motor unit 41, specialized motors are provided, respectively. The 
following describes, as another example, an arrangement wherein, in the 
above operations (1) and (2), the up-lifting of the first motor unit 40 is 
carried out without providing a specialized motor for up-lifting thereof, 
referring to FIG. 57(a) and FIG. 57(b). 
First, as shown in FIG. 57(a), the cartridge 17 is laterally inserted by 
the loading mechanism (not shown). The first motor unit 40 is fixed to the 
bearing supporting plate 43. On the main chassis 1, the guiding pins 44 
are fixed, and the bearing supporting plate 43 is movable in the vertical 
direction along the guiding pins 44. The diameter of the upper portion of 
each guiding pin 44, namely, on the side of the main chassis 1 is larger 
than the diameter of the lower portion, and the lower portion of each 
guiding pin 44 is a bearing supporting plate contacting section 44a 
contacting the bearing supporting plate 43. Also, a damp spring 45 is 
provided around each guiding pin 44 so as to press downward the bearing 
supporting plate 43. 
On the main chassis 1, a bearing support 46 is fixed for rotatably holding 
a lifting pin 47 provided under the bearing support 46. On one end (right 
side in FIG. 57(a) and FIG. 57(b)) of the lifting pin 47, the cartridge 
contacting section 47a is provided, which sticks out onto the main chassis 
1 from the cutout portion 1h of the main chassis 1. The other end of the 
lifting pin 47 contacts the lower surface of the bearing supporting plate 
43 as a spindle motor contacting section 47b. 
On the "root" of the cartridge contacting section 47a of the lifting pin 
47, a contacting section 47c contacting the lower surface of the main 
chassis 1 is provided. This arrangement prevents the cartridge contacting 
section 47a from being up-lifted for an excessive amount. The first motor 
unit 40 is pressed downward by the spring force of the damp spring 45; 
however, the position of the first motor unit 40 is restricted by the 
contacting section 47c. 
Then, as shown in FIG. 57(b), the cartridge 17 is down-lifted by the 
loading mechanism (not shown). In response to this, the cartridge 
contacting section 47a on one end of the lifting pin 47 is pressed 
downward, and the lifting pin 47 starts being rotated. In accordance with 
the rotation of the lifting pin 47, the spindle motor contacting section 
47b on the other end of the lifting pin 47 lifts upward the first motor 
unit 40. Here, since the guiding pin 44 is provided with the bearing 
supporting plate contacting section 44a, the up-lifting position of the 
first motor unit 40 is determined by the bearing supporting plate 
contacting section 44a. 
In the described manner, by the downward movement of the cartridge 17 and 
the upward movement of the first motor unit 40, the disk encased in the 
cartridge 17 is chucked on the turn table constituting the first motor 
unit 40. 
When ejecting the cartridge 17, the cartridge 17 is moved upward by the 
loading mechanism (not shown). In response this, the cartridge contacting 
section 47a on the end portion of the lifting pin 47 is separated from the 
cartridge 17. The first motor unit 40 is pressed downward by the spring 
force of the damp spring 45 until its movement is restricted by the 
contacting section 47c of the lifting pin 47 on the main chassis 1. 
Thereafter, the cartridge 17 is laterally ejected out of the optical disk 
device. 
With the described arrangement, it is possible to carry out the up-lifting 
and down-lifting of the first motor unit 40 of the divided spindle motor 
in accordance with the loading operation of the cartridge 17. 
Incidentally, the guiding of sliding of the second motor unit 41 can be 
carried out by additionally providing a specialized member. However, in 
the described arrangements in accordance with the present embodiment, as 
will be described in the following, a member provided for other purpose is 
used. 
FIG. 55(a) and FIG. 55(b) show an arrangement wherein the cartridge (not 
shown) is inserted, and a disk (not shown) is chucked on the turn table. 
When the second motor unit 41 is slidably moved, the arrangement of the 
optical disk device changes from the arrangement of FIG. 54(a) and FIG. 
54(b) to the arrangement of FIG. 55(a) and FIG. 55(b). The first motor 
unit 40 is lifted upward toward the cartridge by the lifting mechanism 
section (not shown) to a predetermined position, and the second motor unit 
41 linked to the sliding mechanism section is moved along the guiding 
members 3 of the light pickup 4 by the sliding mechanism section to a 
space created by the up-lifting of the first motor unit 40. As a result, 
the divided components, the first motor unit 40 and the second motor unit 
41, are integrated as a single unit, thus having the same arrangement as 
the conventional integrated spindle motor. 
As described, in the present embodiment, a member for sliding the second 
motor unit 41 and a guiding member for tracking movement of the light 
pickup 4 are the same. For this reason, it is not required to additionally 
provide a guiding member specialized in sliding of the second motor unit 
41, thus realizing a smaller optical disk device. Also, since it is 
possible to reduce the number of components of the optical disk device, 
and to simplify the structure, a rise in manufacturing cost, due to an 
increase in the number of specialized driving members, can be prevented. 
As described, the guiding of sliding of the second motor unit 41 is carried 
out by the guiding members 3 of the light pickup 4. Here, because it is 
required that the relative positions of the turn table 42 of the first 
motor unit 40 and the light pickup 4 are accurately determined, (1) the 
guiding members 3 which determine the relative positions of the light 
pickup 4 and (2) the turn table 42 of the first motor unit 40 are 
accurately positioned. Therefore, by sliding the second motor unit 41 in 
accordance with the guiding members 3, it is possible to always accurately 
position the first motor unit 40 and the second motor unit 41 with ease. 
Thus, when the second motor unit 41 is slidably moved to a space below the 
first motor unit 40, it is possible to obtain with ease the same 
characteristic as that of an integrated spindle motor. 
Sixteenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Sixteenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 58 and FIG. 59. 
FIG. 58 shows an arrangement before the cartridge is inserted into the 
optical disk device. In FIG. 58, the blank arrow indicates the insertion 
direction of the cartridge 17. The first motor unit 40 and the second 
motor unit 41 are separated from each other. The first motor unit 40 is 
positioned in a space corresponding to the center of the disk before 
up-lifting, and the second motor unit 41 is positioned between the light 
pickup 4 positioned on the outer side of the disk and the first motor unit 
40. The first motor unit 40 and the second motor unit 41 are linked to a 
motor member lifting mechanism section 50 and a motor member sliding 
mechanism section (controlling means) 53, respectively. 
The magnetic field applying means having the magnetic head section 6 for 
applying a modulated magnetic field to the disk 18 are separated from the 
light pickup 4, and are positioned in the retreat position outside the 
moving region of the cartridge 17 during insertion. Also, the magnetic 
field applying means 52 are linked to the magnetic field applying means 
sliding mechanism section (controlling means) 51. 
The present embodiment adopts an arrangement wherein the magnetic field 
applying means 52 can be separated from and linked to the light pickup 4, 
and when the cartridge 17 encasing the disk is inserted into the optical 
disk device, in order to avoid the magnetic field applying means 52 from 
contacting the cartridge 17 during (1) the loading operation for moving 
the cartridge 17 to a predetermined position where recording and 
reproducing of information is carried out by the light pickup 4 and (2) 
the unloading operation for ejecting the cartridge 17 out of the optical 
disk device, the magnetic field applying means 52 are retreated to the 
retreat position outside the moving region of the cartridge 17, thereby 
realizing a thinner optical disk device. 
FIG. 59 shows an arrangement after the cartridge 17 has inserted into the 
optical disk device. When the cartridge 17 is inserted into the optical 
disk device, the first motor unit 40 is lifted upward towards the 
cartridge by the motor member lifting mechanism section 50 to a 
predetermined position, and the second motor unit 41 linked to the motor 
member sliding mechanism section 53 is moved to the space created by the 
up-lifting of the first motor unit 40 by the motor member sliding 
mechanism section 53. As a result, the divided components, the first motor 
unit 40 and the second motor unit 41, are integrated as a single unit, 
thus having the same arrangement as the conventional integrated spindle 
motor. 
The magnetic field applying means 52 are slidably moved, by the magnetic 
field applying means sliding mechanism section 51, from the retreat 
position towards the light pickup 4 (to the right in FIG. 59) so as to be 
integrally linked to the light pickup 4. The magnetic field applying means 
52 and the light pickup 4 thus linked to each other are moved as a single 
integral unit, thus permitting an easy control of the relative positions 
of the magnetic field applying means 52 and the light pickup 4. 
Incidentally, in the optical disk device having the described arrangement, 
in the process from insertion of the cartridge 17 to recording and 
reproducing of information by the light pickup 4, it is required to 
slidably move the second motor unit 41 and the magnetic field applying 
means 52. Therefore, in order to ensure a quick start of recording and 
reproducing, it is required to reduce the time required for the slide 
movement of the second motor unit 41 and the magnetic field applying means 
52. Here, assuming that the time required for slide movement of the second 
motor unit 41 is .DELTA.t1, and the time required for slide movement of 
the magnetic field applying means 52 is .DELTA.t2, when the magnetic field 
applying means 52 are slidably moved after the slide movement of the 
second motor unit 41, the total time At required for the slide movement is 
.DELTA.t=.DELTA.t1+.DELTA.t2. Also, by carrying out the side movement of 
the second motor unit 41 and the magnetic field applying means 52 
simultaneously, the total time .DELTA.t can be reduced. That is to say, 
when the time of the slide movement .DELTA.t1 and .DELTA.t2 have a 
relation of .DELTA.t1&gt;.DELTA.t2, by carrying out the slide movement 
simultaneously, the total time .DELTA.t required for the slide movement 
becomes .DELTA.t=.DELTA.t1 as the time is reduced for the amount of 
.DELTA.t2, thereby reducing the rising time of the optical disk device 
when inserting the cartridge 17. 
Specifically, for example, in response to a signal that the cartridge 17 
has been chucked on the turn table 42 and the up-lifting of the first 
motor unit 40 has been completed, the magnetic field applying means 
sliding mechanism section 51 and the sliding mechanism section 53 are 
energized, at the same time, to a slide movement motor provided for each 
of the magnetic field applying means sliding mechanism section 51 and the 
sliding mechanism section 53 so as to start driving, thereby reducing the 
rising time. 
Seventeenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Seventeenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 60(a) through FIG. 65. 
FIG. 60(a) through FIG. 60(e) show an arrangement of a main component of 
the optical disk device in accordance with the present embodiment before 
inserting the cartridge 17. In FIG. 60(b), the blank arrow indicates the 
insertion direction of the cartridge 17. On the main chassis 1, the light 
pickup 4 and the cartridge position determining pin 5 are provided via the 
guiding members 3. 
The spindle motor for rotatably driving a disk as a recording medium is 
divided into two units of the first motor unit 40 and the second motor 
unit 41. The first motor unit 40 is composed of a bearing support, a turn 
table, a rotation shaft, a rotor magnet, a bearing, and a disk chucking 
magnet (all not shown). The second motor unit 41 is composed of a stator 
coil and a coil support serving also as a back yoke (both not shown). 
Also, the first motor unit 40 is linked to the lifting mechanism section 
(not shown), and is provided on the main chassis 1. The second motor unit 
41 can be slidably moved via the guiding members 3, and is provided with 
the rack 41a on the end portion. 
On the main chassis 1, the driving motor 16 is fixed, and the rotation gear 
16b is provided around the rotating section of the driving motor 16. The 
rotation gear 16b and the rack 41 are linked to each other via the linking 
gears 54 and 55. 
On a position adjacent to the second motor section 41 of the spindle motor, 
(1) a magnetic head section 6 composed of a resin slider member having a 
core section with coils and (2) a suspension member 7 supporting the 
magnetic head section 6 are provided. The magnetic head section 6 and the 
suspension member 7 constitute magnetic field applying means. 
The suspension member 7 is fixed to the second supporting arm 8, and the 
second supporting arm 8 is provided with two guiding openings 9. On the 
main chassis 1, a guiding pin supporting plate 10 is fixed, and the 
guiding pin supporting plate 10 is provided with two second magnetic head 
guiding pins 11. The guiding openings 9 are interlocked with the second 
magnetic head guiding pins 11, respectively. Thus, the second supporting 
arm 8 is movable along the second magnetic head guiding pins 11. 
The first supporting arm 12 integrally extends from the light pickup 4, and 
two first magnetic head guiding pins 13 are fixed to the first supporting 
arm 12. The first magnetic head guiding pins 13 and the second magnetic 
head guiding pins 11 have the same diameter, and are coaxial to each 
other. 
The driving pin 14 is fixed to the second supporting arm 8. On the main 
chassis 1, the driving gear 15 is fixed so as to be free to rotate, and a 
portion of the driving gear 15 is provided with a cut-out portion 15a to 
be interlocked with the driving pin 14. The driving gear 15 is also 
provided with a smaller diameter gear 15c. The smaller diameter gear 15c 
and the rotation gear 16b of the driving motor 16 are linked to each other 
by the linking gear 56. The driving motor 16, the driving gear 15 and the 
driving pin 14 constitute switching means. 
The magnetic field applying means are linked to a magnetic field applying 
means lifting mechanism (not shown) which carries out a lifting operation 
wherein the magnetic head section 6 of the magnetic field applying means 
facing the disk, serving also as the magnetic field generating section and 
the slider member, is made in a vicinity of or contact with the disk 
surface, or separated from the disk surface. 
The following will describe, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 64, the 
operations of the constituent components of the optical disk device when 
the cartridge encasing a disk is inserted into the device. 
As shown in FIG. 60(a) through FIG. 60(e), the second supporting arm 8 
fixed to the magnetic head section 6 is positioned on the second magnetic 
head guiding pins 11. This is the retreat position outside the cartridge 
insertion region where the magnetic head section 6 is prevented from 
contacting the cartridge 17 when the cartridge 17 is inserted into the 
optical disk device. The light pickup 4 is controlled by the light pickup 
transporting mechanism (not shown) such that the light pickup 4 is 
positioned on the outermost side of the disk for recording and reproducing 
information on and from the outermost portion of the disk. In this light 
pickup position, the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 integrally 
provided with the light pickup 4 and the second magnetic head guiding pins 
11 integrally provided with the main chassis 1 are coaxial to each other 
with the end portions in vicinities. 
The second motor unit 41 is provided side by side with the first motor unit 
40. 
The cartridge 17 is inserted in S41. Here, the magnetic head section 6 is 
still in the retreat position, and the light pickup 4 is positioned on the 
outer side of the disk. FIG. 61(a) through FIG. 61(c) illustrate the 
loading operation wherein the cartridge 17 is inserted into the optical 
disk device. The cartridge 17 held in the cartridge holder (not shown) is 
moved by the loading mechanism (not shown) towards the inside of the 
optical disk device (downward direction in FIG. 61(a) through FIG. 61(c)), 
namely, the cartridge 17 is moved laterally in a direction parallel to the 
disk surface. 
In the case where the thickness of the optical disk device is to be made 
thinner, since the upper surface of the cartridge 17 is on substantially 
the same level as the upper surface of the optical disk device, it is 
impossible to bring the magnetic head section 6 above the cartridge 17. 
Here, the light pickup 4 is moved to a position above the outermost side 
of the disk 18, and as shown in FIG. 61(a) through FIG. 61(c), in the 
loading operation, the second supporting arm 8 fixed to the magnetic head 
section 6 is retreated to the retreat position outside the moving region 
of the cartridge 17. Thus, in the cartridge loading operation, the 
magnetic head section 6 is prevented from contacting the cartridge 17. 
Also, in the retreat position, the magnetic head section 6 is held by the 
magnetic head lifting mechanism (not shown) such that the upper surface of 
the magnetic head section 6 is substantially on the same level as the 
upper surface of the optical disk device, thereby preventing the thickness 
of the optical disk device from being increased by the projection of the 
magnetic head section 6. 
The loading operation is carried out in S42. After transporting the 
chucking target section of the disk 18 above the chucking section of the 
first motor unit 40, the cartridge 17 is lifted downward towards the first 
motor unit 40. The main chassis 1 having the first motor unit 40 and the 
light pickup 4 is provided with, as described, the cartridge position 
determining pin 5, and the cartridge 17 is positioned in a predetermined 
position by the cartridge position determining pin 5. 
In Step 34, the first motor unit 40 is moved upward by the lifting 
mechanism section (not shown) towards the cartridge 17 in accordance with 
the insertion of the cartridge 17. The disk 18 is provided with a center 
hub (not shown) which is made of a magnetic material, and the disk 
chucking magnet (not shown) is fixed to the turn table 42 in a vicinity of 
the chucking section of the first motor unit 40. By the magnetic 
absorption force exerted by the disk chucking magnet on the center hub, 
the disk 18 is held on the chucking surface of the first motor unit 40. 
As a result of the downward movement of the cartridge 17 towards the first 
motor unit 40, a space Q is created above the cartridge 17 after moving 
downward, between the upper surface (h.sub.1 in FIG. 61(a)) of the 
cartridge 17 when moving laterally and the upper surface (h.sub.2 in FIG. 
61(a)) of the cartridge 17 after downward movement. 
In Step 44, the driving motor 16 is rotated so as to move (1) the second 
supporting arm 8 towards the first supporting arm 12 and (2) the second 
motor unit 41 towards the first motor unit 40. Namely, when a current is 
sent to the driving motor 16, the rotation gear 16b provided on the 
rotation section of the driving motor 16 is rotated in the direction of 
the arrow A in FIG. 61 (b), and the driving gear 15 is also rotated in the 
A direction via the linking gear 56. In response to this, the driving pin 
14 interlocked with the cut-out portion 15a of the driving gear 15 is 
moved. In accordance with this movement of the driving pin 14, the second 
supporting arm 8 is moved along the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 
towards the light pickup 4 from the retreat position. The lower surface of 
the magnetic head section 6 is positioned so as not to contact the upper 
surface of the cartridge 17 after moving downward. For this reason, the 
suspension member 7 and the magnetic head section 6 respectively fixed to 
the second supporting arm 8 are moved in the space Q created by the 
downward movement of the cartridge 17. As described, since the first 
magnetic head guiding pins 13 and the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 
are coaxial to each other with the end portions in vicinities, the second 
supporting arm 8 is moved from a position on the second magnetic head 
guiding pins 11 to a position on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13. 
On the other hand, when a current is sent to the driving motor 16, and the 
rotation gear 16b provided on the rotation section of the rotation gear 16 
is rotated in the A direction in FIG. 61(b), the linking gear 55 is also 
rotated in the A direction via the linking gear 54 linked to the rotation 
gear 16b. In response to this, the rack 41a interlocked with the linking 
gear 55 in moved in the B direction in FIG. 61(b), i.e., in a direction 
from the second motor unit 41 to the first motor unit 40. In response to 
this movement of the rack 41, the second motor unit 41 is moved towards 
the first motor unit 40 via the guiding members 3. Here, as described, 
since the first motor unit 40 is moved upward towards the cartridge 17 by 
the lifting mechanism section (not shown) in accordance with the insertion 
of the cartridge 17, the second motor unit 41 is slidably moved to the 
space created by the upward movement of the first motor unit 40. In this 
manner, the divided components, the first motor unit 40 and the second 
motor unit 41, are integrated as a single unit, thus having the same 
arrangement as the conventional integrated spindle motor. 
When the second supporting arm 8 comes to a stop position where the 
magnetic head section 6 and the light pickup 4 are linked to each other 
(S45), the driving motor 16 is stopped (S46). FIG. 62 (a) and FIG. 62 (b) 
show an arrangement wherein the magnetic head section 6 is linked to the 
light pickup 4, and the first motor unit 40 and the second motor unit 41 
are integrally linked to each other. The second supporting arm 8 which has 
moved to a position on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 is 
integrally linked to the first supporting arm 12. The moving direction of 
the second supporting arm 8 is always restricted by the first magnetic 
head guiding pins 11. Thus, the positional relationship of the second 
supporting arm 8 and the first supporting arm 12 when the linkage is made 
is always maintained constant, and the light spot is accurately positioned 
on the supplementary magnetic field applied region. 
Then, the light pickup 4 is moved towards the inner side of the disk (S47). 
FIG. 63(a) and FIG. 63 (b) show an arrangement wherein the magnetic head 
section 6 is integrally subjected to the tracking control with the light 
pickup 4. The light pickup 4 integrally fixed to the magnetic head section 
6 is moved by the light pickup transporting mechanism (not shown) towards 
the inner side of the disk for staring of recording and reproducing of 
information. 
On the upper surface of the cartridge 17 encasing the recordable disk 18, a 
magnetic head insertion window 17a is provided. The magnetic head section 
6 integrally linked to the light pickup 4 is positioned in the magnetic 
head insertion window 17a, and is made in a vicinity of or contact with 
the disk by the magnetic head lifting mechanism (not shown). 
As described, since the magnetic head section 6 and the light pickup 4 are 
integrally linked to each other, even when the light pickup 4 under 
tracking control is moved between the inner side and outer side of the 
disk, the positional relationship between the supplementary magnetic field 
applied region and the light spot is not changed at all. Therefore, a 
positional control for maintaining the positional relationship is not 
required which is necessary in an arrangement wherein the magnetic head 
section 6 and the light pickup 4 are provided as completely separate 
units. 
The unloading operation for ejecting the cartridge 17 out of the optical 
disk device is carried out by revering the described loading operation. 
The following describes the unloading operation referring to the flowchart 
of FIG. 65. In Step 51, the magnetic head section 6 is up-lifted to a 
position where the lower surface of the magnetic head section 6 does not 
contact the upper surface of the cartridge 17. The light pickup 4 is 
positioned on the outermost side of the disk by the light pickup 
transporting mechanism (S52 to S54). 
Then, the driving motor 16 is rotated in the reverse direction so as to 
move the second supporting arm 8 linked to the first supporting arm 12 
from a position on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 to a position 
on the second magnetic head guiding pins 11, and the magnetic head section 
6 is held in the predetermined retreat position on the side of the second 
magnetic head guiding pins 11. The second motor unit 41 is slidably moved 
towards the light pickup 4 (to the left in FIG. 63(a)) (S55 to S57). 
Then, in Step 58, the loading motor is driven so as to up-lift the 
cartridge 17, and the first motor unit 40 is moved downward by the lifting 
mechanism section to a space created by the slide movement of the second 
motor unit 41 towards the light pickup 4. Thereafter, the cartridge 17 is 
laterally moved (S58), and is ejected out of the optical disk device 
(S60), thereby finishing the unloading operation. 
In the described arrangement, the magnetic head section 6 and the second 
motor unit 41 are linked to each other by the linking gear with respect to 
a single driving motor 16. Thus, compared with an arrangement wherein a 
slide movement driving motor is separately provided for each of the 
magnetic head section 6 and the second motor unit 41, in the present 
embodiment, only a single motor is required for driving of the magnetic 
head section 6 and the second motor unit 41, thus realizing a thinner and 
smaller optical disk device, and reducing the manufacturing cost. 
Further, because the magnetic head section 6 and the second motor unit 41 
can be slidably moved simultaneously in accordance with the rotation of 
the driving motor 16, it is possible to reduce the rising time, from the 
insertion of the cartridge to the start of recording and reproducing of 
information by the light pickup 4. 
Eighteenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Eighteenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 66 through FIG. 72. Note that, for convenience, members 
having the same functions as the members indicated in Figures of the 
previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the 
explanations thereof are omitted. 
The loading operation in which the cartridge 17 is laterally transported 
into the optical disk device and the disk 18 is down-lifted so as to be 
chucked with the spindle motor 2, and the unloading operation in which the 
cartridge 17 is ejected out of the optical disk device are carried out in 
the following manner. 
FIG. 66 is a drawing showing a mechanism for holding the cartridge 17, 
viewed from the far side of the cartridge 17 when it is inserted. As shown 
in FIG. 66, on the both ends (right end and left end) of a plate-shaped 
cartridge holder 26 for holding the cartridge 17, bending portions 26a are 
provided, respectively, for holding of the cartridge 17. Each of the 
bending portions 26a is fixed to a holder pin 27, and the cartridge holder 
26 and holder pins 27 form an integral unit. 
On the periphery of the cartridge holder 26, a base plate 28 fixed in a 
U-shape is provided, and on the both ends of the base plate 28, bending 
portions 28a are provided. On each of the bending portions 28a, as shown 
in FIG. 67(a) and FIG. 67(b), a lift guiding slit 28b interlocked with the 
holder pin 27 in the vertical direction is provided. Also, between the 
bending portions 28a of the base plate 28 and the bending portions 26a of 
the cartridge holder 26, a movable plate 29 is provided so as to be 
interlocked with the holder pins 27. 
The described arrangement generally has an arrangement shown in FIG. 67(a) 
and FIG. 67(b). FIG. 67(a) and FIG. 67(b) respectively show the mechanism 
of FIG. 66 as viewed from the right side, and the cartridge 17 is inserted 
from the right side. On the movable plate 29, a diagonal guiding slits 29a 
are provided, respectively, and each guiding slit 29a is interlocked with 
the holder pin 27. 
As shown in FIG. 67(a), when inserting the cartridge 17 (not shown), the 
holder pin 27 is positioned at the upper portion of the guiding slit 29a. 
As described, since the cartridge holder 26 is integrally provided with 
the holder pins 27, the cartridge holder 26 (not shown) is also positioned 
at the upper portion of the optical disk device. Then, the cartridge 17 is 
inserted in the lateral direction into the cartridge holder 26 manually. 
When it is confirmed that the cartridge 17 is inserted to a predetermined 
position, a loading motor (not shown) is rotated, and the movable plate 29 
is moved in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 67(a) and FIG. 67(b), 
i.e., in the direction opposite to the loading direction. 
Since the holder pins 27 are interlocked with the guiding slits 29a and the 
lift guiding slits 28b, when the movable plate 29 is moved, as shown in 
FIG. 67(b), the holder pins 27 are down-lifted perpendicularly along the 
lift guiding slits 28b. Accordingly, the cartridge holder 26 integrally 
provided with the holder pins 27 as well as the cartridge 17 in the 
cartridge holder 26 are also down-lifted perpendicularly, thereby 
finishing the loading operation. 
In the arrangement of FIG. 67(a) and FIG. 67(b), the unloading operation 
for ejecting the cartridge 17 out of the optical disk device is carried 
out by rotating the loading motor (not shown) in the reverse direction, 
and the movable plate 29 of FIG. 67(b) is moved in the direction of the 
arrow D, i.e., in the direction opposite to the unloading direction. In 
response to this, the holder pins 27 are up-lifted perpendicularly along 
the lift guiding slits 28b. In order to allow the light pickup 4 to record 
and reproduce information on the disk 18, the cartridge 17 is provided 
with a window, and for protection, a shutter is provided, covering the 
window. By the spring force of the shutter opening-closing mechanism for 
opening and closing of the shutter, the cartridge 17 in the cartridge 
holder 26 is ejected out of the optical disk device in the lateral 
direction. Since the mechanism of this operation is well known, detailed 
explanations thereof are omitted here. 
In the present embodiment, in addition to the described loading and 
unloading operations, a retreating operation and a retreating releasing 
operation of the magnetic head section 6 and the slide moving operation of 
the second motor member 41 are carried out by using the driving force of 
the loading motor which carries out the loading operation of the 
cartridge. The following describes how these operations are carried out. 
Note that, for simplicity, the cartridge holder 26 and the base plate 28 
constituting the loading mechanism will be omitted in the explanations. 
Rather, explanations will be given in accordance with the operation of the 
movable plate 29. 
FIG. 68(a) through FIG. 68(c) show one arrangement of the optical disk 
device while the cartridge 17 is being inserted into the optical disk 
device. FIG. 68(c) is a bottom view of FIG. 68(b), and FIG. 69 is a view 
from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 68(c). 
As shown in FIG. 68(b), a loading motor (loading means) 30 for moving the 
movable plate 29 is fixed on the main chassis 1, and a rotation section on 
an end of the loading motor 30 is provided with a rotation gear 30a. Also, 
as shown in FIG. 68(c), the movable plate 29 having a U-shape is provided 
with a bending portion 29b which is formed by bending a portion of the 
upper surface of the movable plate 29 inward (downward direction in FIG. 
68(c) in a U-shape). The bending portion 29b is provided with a rack 29c, 
and the rack 29c and the rotation gear 30a are interlocked. Thus, by 
rotating the loading motor 30, the movable plate 29 is moved in the 
direction of the arrow E in FIG. 68(b), i.e., in a direction opposite to 
the loading direction. 
Also, as shown in FIG. 68(b), on the upper surface of the movable plate 29, 
a guiding slit 29d is provided. The guiding slit 29d is composed of (1) a 
guiding slit 29g which is an opening parallel to the loading direction on 
the movable plate 29 on the near side of the cartridge 17, i.e., an 
opening parallel to a direction in which the movable plate 29 is moved and 
(2) a guiding slit 29h which is an opening diagonally extending from the 
guiding slit 29h. 
Also, on the lower surface of the movable plate 29 (direction into the 
plane of the paper in FIG. 68(b)), a sliding plate 31 is provided. The 
sliding plate 31 is provided with two guiding slits 31a, at the both ends 
in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the movable plate 
29, extending in a direction parallel to the direction perpendicular to 
the moving direction of the movable plate 29. Here, guide pins 1a fixed to 
the base plate 28 are interlocked with the guiding slits 31a, and the 
guide pins 1a are positioned in the end portions of the guiding slits 31a, 
respectively, in a direction of the arrow +J in FIG. 68(b). Thus, the 
sliding plate 31 is movable only in a direction of the arrow +J from the 
position shown in FIG. 68(b). 
Also, the sliding plate 31 is provided with a slide guiding pin 31b on the 
central portion. The slide guiding pin 31b is interlocked with the guiding 
slit 29d of the movable plate 29, and is positioned at the end portion of 
the guiding slit 29d in a direction of the arrow E in FIG. 68(b), i.e., in 
the moving direction of the movable plate 29. 
In a vicinity of the end portion of the sliding plate 31 in the direction 
of the arrow E, a rack 31c is provided. Here, a linking gear 32 and a 
driving gear 33 are fixed on the main chassis 1 so as to be free to 
rotate. A cut-out portion 33b of the driving gear 33 is interlocked with 
the driving pin 14 of the second supporting arm 8 fixed to the magnetic 
head section 6 so as to move the driving pin 14 by rotation. The loading 
motor 30, the sliding plate 31, the linking gear 32, the driving gear 33, 
and the driving pin 14 constitute switching means. The linking gear 32 is 
a two-step gear composed of a larger diameter linking gear 32a and a 
smaller diameter linking gear 32b, and the driving gear 33 is provided 
with a smaller diameter driving gear 33a with steps. The larger diameter 
linking gear 32a of the linking gear 32 and the smaller diameter driving 
gear 33a of the driving gear 33 are interlocked, and the rack 31c and the 
smaller diameter linking gear 32b are interlocked. 
A portion of the movable plate 29 is provided with a bending portion 29i in 
such a manner that the bending portion 29i wraps around the right side of 
the main chassis 1 towards underneath thereof (in a direction into the 
plane of paper), and the bending portion 29i is provided with a guiding 
slit 29j. The guiding slit 29j is composed of (1) a guiding slit 29k which 
is an opening on the far side of the cartridge 17 of the movable plate 29, 
parallel to the loading direction (parallel to the moving direction of the 
movable plate 29) and (2) a guiding slit 29m which is an opening 
diagonally extending from the guiding slit 29k. 
The first motor unit 40, the second motor unit 41, the light pickup 4, and 
the magnetic head section 6 are positioned in the same manner as those 
described referring to FIG. 60(a) through FIG. 60(e). An end portion of 
the second motor unit 41 is provided with the slide guiding pin 41b which 
is interlocked with the guiding slit 29j. 
FIG. 70(a) through FIG. 70(c) respectively show a positional relationship 
of the movable plate 29, the base plate 28, the holder pin 27, and the 
cartridge 17 of the present embodiment. FIG. 70(a) through FIG. 70(c) are 
slightly different from FIG. 67(a) through FIG. 67(c). On the base plate 
28, a lift guiding slit 28b is provided in the vertical direction. On the 
movable plate 29, there is provided a guiding slit having an inclined 
portion 29e and a level portion 29f extending from the inclined portion 
29e. The holder pin 27 fixed to the cartridge holder 26 (not shown) is 
interlocked with the lift guiding slit 28b and the guiding slit having the 
inclined portion 29e and the level portion 29f. 
As shown in FIG. 70(a), a moment after the insertion of the cartridge 17, 
the holder pin 27 is positioned at the upper portion of the inclined 
portion 29e of the guiding slit of the movable plate 29, and accordingly, 
the cartridge holder 26 is also positioned at the upper portion of the 
optical disk device. A position on the side of the guiding slit of the 
movable plate 29, parallel to the lift guiding slit 28b, where the guiding 
slit is provided is denoted as F. Here, as shown in FIG. 68(a) through 
FIG. 68(c), the light pickup 4 is positioned above the outermost side of 
the disk, and the magnetic head section 6 is positioned in the retreat 
position on the side of the second magnetic head guiding pins 11. 
When the cartridge 17 is inserted into the cartridge holder 26, the loading 
motor 30 of FIG. 68(b) start being rotated, and the movable plate 29 is 
moved in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 68(b). 
As a result, as shown in FIG. 70(b), the holder pin 27 is lifted downward 
along the inclined portion 29e of the guiding slit of the movable plate 29 
until the holder pin 27 reaches the portion where the inclined portion 29e 
and the level portion 29f meet. As a result, the cartridge 17 starts being 
down-lifted. Then, the first motor unit 40 is lifted upward by the lifting 
mechanism section (not shown) towards the cartridge 17, and the disk 18 is 
chucked onto the spindle motor 2, thereby completing the loading 
operation. Here, a position on the side of the movable plate 29 
(previously F) is denoted as G. 
As shown in FIG. 71, the slide guiding pin 31b fixed to the sliding plate 
31 is interlocked with the sliding slit 29d on the upper surface of the 
movable plate 29; however, since the slide guiding pin 31b moves along the 
guiding slit 29g in a direction the same as the moving direction of the 
movable plate 29, even when the movable plate 29 is moved from F to G, the 
slide guiding pin 31b does not move in the +J direction, but rather the 
position thereof is fixed. Thus, the magnetic head section 6 linked to the 
slide guiding pin 31b via the driving gear 33, etc. is held in the 
predetermined retreat position. 
In the same manner, the slide guiding pin 41b fixed to the end portion of 
the second motor unit 41 is interlocked with the guiding slit 29j of the 
bending portion 29i of the movable plate 29; however, since the slide 
guiding pin 41 moves along the guiding slit 29k provided in the same 
direction as the moving direction of the movable plate 29, even when the 
movable plate 29 is moved from F to G, the slide guiding pin 41b is not 
moved in the +J direction so that the second motor unit 41 is fixed to the 
same position. 
Then, the loading motor 30 is further rotated so as to move the movable 
plate 29 in the E direction. 
Here, as shown in FIG. 70(c), since the holder pin 27 is interlocked with 
the level portion 29f of the guiding slit of the movable plate 29, the 
position of the holder pin 27, namely, the position of the cartridge 17 
which has been loaded is not changed. The movable plate 29 is moved to the 
tip portion (right side in FIG. 70(c)) of the base plate 28. Here, a 
position on the side of the movable plate (previously G) is denoted as H. 
As shown in FIG. 72, since the slide guiding pin 31b fixed to the sliding 
plate 31, interlocked with the guiding slit 29d on the movable plate 29 
moves along a guiding slit 29h inclined with respect to the moving 
direction of the movable plate 29, when the movable plate 29 is moved from 
G to H, the slide guiding pin 31b is moved in the +J direction, and the 
sliding plate 31 is also moved in the +J direction. Then, the linking gear 
32 interlocked with the rack 31c provided on the sliding plate 31 is 
rotated, and the driving gear 33 starts being rotated in the direction of 
the arrow A in FIG. 72. In response to this, the driving pin 14 
interlocked with the cut-out portion 33b of the driving gear 33 is moved, 
and in response to this movement of the driving pin 14, the second 
supporting arm 8 is moved form the retreat position towards the light 
pickup 4 along the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 and the first 
magnetic head guiding pins 13, thereby linking the first supporting arm 12 
and the second supporting arm 8. 
Since the slide guiding pin 41b interlocked with the guiding slit 29j of 
the bending portion 29i of the movable plate 29 moves along the guiding 
slit 29m which is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the 
movable plate 29, when the movable plate 29 is moved from G to H, the 
slide guiding pin 41b moves in the +J direction. In accordance with this, 
the second motor unit 41 is slidably moved to a predetermined position 
below the first motor unit 40. 
The unloading operation for ejecting the cartridge 17 out of the optical 
disk device is carried out by carrying out the described operation in the 
reversed order. Namely, the magnetic head section 6 is lifted upward by 
the magnetic head section lifting mechanism (not shown) to a position 
where the lower surface of the magnetic head section 6 does not contact 
the upper surface of the cartridge 17, and the light pick up 4 is moved to 
a position above the outermost side of the disk. When the loading motor 30 
is rotated in the reverse direction so as to move the movable plate 29 
from H to G, the sliding plate 31 is moved in the -J direction. Then, the 
second supporting arm 8 linked to the first supporting arm 12 is moved 
from a position on the first magnetic head guiding pins 13 to a position 
on the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 via the linking gear 32 and 
the driving gear 33, and the magnetic head section 6 is held in the 
predetermined retreat position on the side of the second magnetic head 
guiding pins 11. 
Also, in accordance with the slide movement of the slide guiding pin 41b in 
the -J direction, the second motor unit 41 integrally provided with the 
slide guiding pin 41b is also moved in the -J direction, and the first 
motor unit 40 is moved downward by the lifting mechanism section to a 
space created by the movement of the second motor unit 41. 
Thereafter, the movable plate 29 is moved from G to F (see FIG. 71). In 
response to this, the holder pin 27 is up-lifted, and accordingly the 
cartridge 17 is also up-lifted. Then, the cartridge 17 is ejected out of 
the optical disk device in the lateral direction, thereby completing the 
unloading operation. 
As described, by carrying out the retreating operation and the retreating 
releasing operation of the magnetic field applying means and the slide 
movement operation for the second motor unit 41 by the loading motor 30 
which carries out the loading and unloading operations for drawing and 
ejecting the cartridge 17 into and out of the optical disk device, it is 
not required to additionally provide a magnetic head section retreating 
motor for the magnetic head section 6 and the slide movement driving motor 
for the second motor unit 41, thus realizing a thinner and smaller 
magneto-optical display device with a low manufacturing cost. 
Further, since the magnetic head section 6 and the second motor unit 41 can 
be slidably moved simultaneously in accordance with the rotation of the 
loading motor, it is possible to reduce the rising time, from the 
insertion of the cartridge to the start of recording and reproducing of 
information by the light pickup 4. 
Nineteenth Embodiment 
The following will describe Nineteenth Embodiment of the present invention 
referring to FIG. 73(a) through FIG. 77(b). Note that, for convenience, 
members having the same functions as the members indicated in Figures of 
the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the 
explanations thereof are omitted. 
Even when a recordable optical disk is used, it is rare that the recording 
operation is always carried out, but generally, the reading operation for 
reading of information is carried out most of the time. During recording 
of information, the surface of the magnetic head section 6 facing the 
disk, namely, the magnetic field generating section and a slider member 
are in vicinities of or made contact with the disk surface. When the 
recording of information is finished, and in the case where the disk 
facing surface of the magnetic head section 6 facing the disk are not 
moved from the vicinity of the disk surface, there is a danger that the 
magnetic head section 6 and the disk 18 are collided, resulting in the 
damage, and in the case where the magnetic head section 6 is made contact 
with the disk 18 for a period of time, a load is put on the spindle motor 
2 rotating the disk 18 so that the power consumption of the spindle motor 
2 is increased. For this reason, it is a common practice to adopt a system 
in which the magnetic head section 6 is made in a vicinity of or made 
contact with the disk surface only during recording of information, and 
upon finishing of recording, the magnetic head section 6 is retreated 
above the disk surface. For the driving source of the lifting mechanism 
for carrying out the lifting operation in which the magnetic head section 
6 is lifted in the vertical direction, a lifting motor is generally 
adopted. 
FIG. 73(a) through FIG. 73(c) show an arrangement wherein, in the cartridge 
loading operation, a lifting motor (separating-contacting means) 
(described later) 35 is used for (1) an operation of separating the 
magnetic field applying means from the light pickup 4 so as to move the 
magnetic field applying means to the retreat position outside the moving 
region of the cartridge 17, (2) an operation of linking the magnetic field 
applying means to the light pickup 4 from the retreat position, and (3) a 
slide movement operation for the second motor unit 41. Here, the cartridge 
17 is placed in a predetermined position in the optical disk device by a 
loading mechanism (not shown). 
Under the suspension member 7 of the magnetic head section 6 placed in the 
retreat position, a lifting arm (separating-contacting means) 34 is 
provided. The lifting arm 34 is provided over the moving range of the 
magnetic head section 6 from the inner side of the disk to the retreat 
position. Also, the lifting arm 34 contacts the suspension member 7 of the 
magnetic head section 6 from below, and is slidable along the longitudinal 
direction of the suspension member 7. When the lifting arm 34 is 
positioned in a vicinity of the midway portion of the suspension member 7 
so that the magnetic head section 6 is not in contact with the cartridge 
17, as shown in FIG. 73(a) through FIG. 73(c), the lifting arm 34 is 
slidable only in the direction of +K in FIG. 73(a) through FIG. 73(c), 
namely, as will be described later, the lifting arm 34 is slidable only in 
a direction from the magnetic head section 6 towards the "root" of the 
suspension member 7. The height of the lower surface of the magnetic head 
section 6 is set so as to avoid contacting the upper surface of the 
cartridge 17 when the device is in the arrangement of FIG. 73(a) through 
FIG. 73(c). 
On the main chassis 1, the lifting motor 35 is fixed, and also a first 
sliding plate 36 parallel to the disk surface is provided. The first 
sliding plate 36 is provided with four guiding slits 36b, 36c, and 36d. 
The guiding slits 36b are linearly provided in a direction perpendicular 
to the sliding direction of the lifting arm 34, and two guiding pins 1b 
fixed to the main chassis 1 are respectively interlocked with the guiding 
slits 36b. This allows the first sliding plate 36 to be moved in the 
direction of +L, namely, the first sliding plate 36 is able to move in a 
predetermined direction parallel to the guiding slits 36b. Note that, an 
end portion of the first sliding plate 36, on the side opposite to the +L 
direction when the magnetic head section 6 is in the retreat position and 
is higher than the upper surface of the cartridge 17 is denoted as N. The 
guiding slit 36c is composed of a level portion parallel to the guiding 
slits 36b and an inclined portion which is positioned on the end in the +L 
direction of the guiding slit 36b. The guiding slit 36d is composed of a 
level portion parallel to the guiding slits 36b and an inclined portion 
which is positioned on the end in a direction opposite to the +L direction 
of the guiding slit 36b. 
As shown in FIG. 74, on the end of the lower side of the first sliding 
plate 36, a rack 36a is provided, and the rack 36a is interlocked with a 
rotation gear 35a of the lifting motor 35. FIG. 74 shows an enlarged 
portion of the lifting motor 35 of FIG. 73(b). 
As shown in FIG. 73(a) through FIG. 73(c), on the main chassis 1 under the 
first sliding plate 36, a guiding slit 1c is provided in the sliding 
direction (+K and -K directions) of the lifting arm 34. On one end portion 
(right side in FIG. 73(b)) of the lifting arm 34, a driving pin 34a is 
fixed, and the driving pin 34 is interlocked with both the guiding slit 
36d of the first guiding slit 36 and the guiding slit 1c of the main 
chassis 1. On the other end portion (left side in FIG. 73(b)) of the 
lifting arm 34, a guiding slit 34b is provided in the sliding direction of 
the lifting arm 34, and two guiding pins 1d fixed to the main chassis 1 
are interlocked with the guiding slit 34b. Thus, the movement of the 
lifting arm 34 is restricted only in the +K and -K directions. As shown in 
FIG. 73(b), one of the two guiding pins 1d, which is on the side of the 
end in the +K direction, is positioned on an end portion in the +K 
direction of the guiding slit 34b. For this reason, the lifting arm 34 is 
movable only in the +K direction in this arrangement. 
On the other hand, on the upper side of the first sliding plate 36, a 
second sliding plate 37 is provided, on the second sliding plate 37, two 
guiding pins 37a are fixed. The main chassis 1 is provided with two 
guiding slits 1e in the -K and +K directions, facing the guiding pins 37a. 
One of the guiding pins 37a (lower pin in FIG. 73 (b)) is interlocked with 
only one of the guiding slits 1e of the main chassis 1. The other one of 
the guiding pins 37a (upper pin in FIG. 73(b)) is interlocked with both 
the guiding slit 36c of the first sliding plate 36 and the other guiding 
slit 1e of the main chassis 1. As shown in FIG. 73(b), the guiding pins 
37a are positioned on the end portions in the +K direction of the guiding 
slits 1e, respectively. For this reason, the second sliding plate 37 is 
movable only in the -K direction in this arrangement. 
On a side of the end portion (left side in FIG. 73(b)) of the second 
sliding plate 37, a rack 37b is provided. On the main chassis 1, a linking 
gear 32 and a driving gear 33 are fixed so as to be free to rotate. The 
linking gear 32 is a two-step gear composed of a larger diameter linking 
gear 32a and a smaller diameter linking gear 32b. The driving gear 33 is 
provided with a smaller diameter driving gear 33a with steps. The smaller 
diameter driving gear 33a is interlocked with the larger diameter linking 
gear 32a, and the smaller diameter linking gear 32b is interlocked with 
the rack 37b of the second sliding plate. The driving gear 33 is 
interlocked with the driving pin 14 of the second supporting arm 8 fixed 
to the magnetic head section 6. The lifting motor 35, the first sliding 
plate 36, the second sliding plate 37, the linking gear 32, the driving 
gear 33, and the driving pin 14 constitute the switching means. 
On the lower surface of the main chassis 1, a third sliding plate 57 is 
provided. The third guiding plate 57 is provided with three guiding slits 
57a and 57b. The guiding slits 57a are linearly provided perpendicular to 
the slide moving direction of the first sliding plate 36, and are 
interlocked with the guiding pins 1f fixed to the main chassis 1, 
respectively. This allows the third guiding plate 57 to be moved in a -K 
direction, i.e., a predetermined direction perpendicular to the guiding 
slits 36b. The guiding slit 57b is composed of (1) a level portion 57e 
parallel to the guiding slits 36b and (2) an inclined portion 57d on the 
end side of the +K direction. 
On the first sliding plate 36, a driving pin 36e is fixed. The driving pin 
36e is interlocked with the guiding slit 1g of the main chassis 1 and the 
guiding slit 57b of the third sliding plate 57. 
On the lower surface of the main chassis 1, the linking gear 58 is provided 
so as to be free to rotate. The linking gear 58 is provided with a 
two-step gear composed of a larger diameter gear 58a and a smaller 
diameter gear 58b. The smaller diameter 5Bb is interlocked with the rack 
57c of the third sliding plate 57. 
The first motor unit 40, the second motor unit 41, the light pickup 4, and 
the magnetic head section 6 are positioned in the same manner as those 
described referring to FIG. 60(a) through FIG. 60(e). On an end portion of 
the second motor unit 41 is provided with the rack 41a which is 
interlocked with the larger diameter gear 58a of the linking gear 58. 
The following describes the lifting and moving operations of the magnetic 
head section 6 and the slide movement operation for the second motor unit 
41. 
When the lifting motor 35 is rotated in the direction of the arrow M 
(counterclockwise), an end portion of the first sliding plate 36 
interlocked with the lifting motor 35 is slid in the +L direction. 
In response to this, as shown in FIG. 75, the first sliding plate 36 is 
moved to a position such that the driving pin 34a fixed to the lifting arm 
34 reaches the bending portion of the guiding slit 36d of the first 
sliding plate 36. Here, since the guiding slit 36d of the first sliding 
plate 36 interlocked with the driving pin 34a fixed to the lifting arm 34 
is in the same direction as the sliding direction, the driving pin 34a of 
the lifting arm 34 is not moved in the +K direction, and so the position 
thereof is not changed. Thus, the magnetic head section 6 as lifted with 
the suspension member 7 by the lifting arm 34 is held in the same 
position. Note that, a side of the first sliding plate 36 opposite to the 
+L direction when the retreating of the magnetic head section 6 is 
released and when the magnetic head section 6 is higher than the upper 
surface of the cartridge 17 is denoted as O. 
In the transition between the arrangement of FIG. 73(a) through FIG. 73(c) 
and the arrangement of FIG. 75, the guiding pin 37a fixed to the second 
sliding plate 37, interlocked with the guiding slit 36c of the first 
sliding plate 36 is moved in the -K direction along the inclined portion 
because the guiding pin 37a is interlocked with the inclined portion of 
the guiding slit 36c. In response to this, the second guiding slit 37 is 
moved in the -K direction, and the linking gear 32 interlocked with the 
rack 37b provided on the end portion of the second sliding plate 37 is 
rotated which in turn causes the driving gear 33 to rotate in the A 
direction. Then, the driving pin 14 interlocked with the cut-out portion 
33b of the driving gear 33 is moved in accordance with the rotation of the 
driving gear 33, and in response to this movement of the guiding pin 14, 
the second supporting arm 8 is moved towards the light pickup along the 
first and second magnetic head guiding pins 13 and 11, thus linking the 
first supporting arm 12 and the second supporting arm 8. Here, because the 
magnetic head section 6 is lifted by the lifting arm 34 to a position 
which does not allow contact with the upper surface of the cartridge 17, 
the magnetic head section 6 is prevented from contacting the cartridge 17 
when moved from the retreat position. 
In accordance with the movement in the +L direction of the driving pin 36e 
of the first sliding plate 36 interlocked with the inclined portion 57d of 
the guiding slit 57b provided on the third sliding plate 57, the inclined 
portion 57d is pushed by the driving pin 36e so as to be moved in the +K 
direction, and the third sliding plate 57 is moved in the +K direction 
along the inclined portion 57d. In accordance with the movement of the 
third sliding plate 57, the linking gear 58 interlocked with the rack 57c 
is rotated clockwise in FIG. 73(b), and the rack 41a of the second motor 
unit 41 interlocked with the linking gear 58 is moved in the -L direction. 
In accordance with the movement of the rack 41a, the second motor unit 41 
is slidably moved towards the first motor unit 40 (to the right in FIG. 
73(b)) along a guiding member (not shown). Note that, here, the first 
motor unit 40, in accordance with the insertion of the cartridge 17, has 
already moved upward towards the cartridge 17 by the lifting mechanism 
section (not shown), and the second motor unit 40 is slidably moved to a 
space created by the upward movement of the first motor unit 40. In this 
manner, the divided components, the first motor unit 40 and the second 
motor unit 41, are integrated as a single unit, thus having the same 
arrangement as the conventional integrated spindle motor. 
FIG. 76 shows an arrangement wherein the magnetic head section 6 is 
integrally linked to the light pickup 4, and is positioned on the inner 
side of the disk. Here, the first sliding plate 36 is positioned at O as 
in FIG. 75, and the magnetic head section 6 is up-lifted by the lifting 
arm 34. When reproducing of information by the light pickup 4 is carried 
out in this arrangement, it is possible to reduce (1) the danger of the 
magnetic head section 6 colliding the disk 18 and (2) the load on the 
spindle motor 2 induced by a prolonged contact. 
When recording and erasing information, it is required to down-lift the 
magnetic head section 6 towards the disk. 
As shown in FIG. 77(a) and FIG. 77(b), when the lifting motor 35 is rotated 
so as to move further the first sliding plate 36, the driving pin 34a 
fixed to the lifting arm 34 is moved in the +K direction along the 
inclined portion of the guiding slit 36d of the first sliding plate 36. As 
a result, in response to the slide movement of the lifting arm 34 in the 
+K direction, the up-lifting of the suspension member 7 of the magnetic 
head section 6 is released, and the magnetic head section 6 of the 
suspension member 7 is sprung down towards the surface of the disk 18 by 
the spring force. Note that, a side of the first sliding plate 36 opposite 
to the +L direction when the retreating of the magnetic head section 6 is 
released and when the magnetic head section 6 is moved downward towards 
the surface of the disk 18 is denoted as P. 
Because the guiding pin 37a fixed to the second sliding plate 37 is 
interlocked with a latter portion of the guiding slit 36c provided in the 
same direction as the moving direction of the first sliding plate 36, the 
guiding pin 37a is not moved in the +K direction, but is rather fixed in 
the same position. Thus, the linking gear 32 and the driving gear 33 are 
not rotated. 
In the same manner, the driving pin 36e provided on the first sliding plate 
36 is further moved in the +L direction; however, since the level portion 
57e of the guiding slit 57b of the third sliding plate 57 interlocked with 
the driving pin 36e is provided in the same direction as the moving 
direction of the driving pin 36e, the third sliding plate 57 is not moved 
in the +K direction, but is fixed to the same position. Accordingly, the 
linking gear 58 is not rotated, and the slide movement of the second motor 
unit 41 does not take place. 
The unloading operation for ejecting the cartridge 17 out of the optical 
disk device is carried out by carrying out the described operation in the 
reversed order. Namely, the lifting motor 35 is rotated in the reverse 
direction and the end portion of the first sliding plate 36 is moved from 
P to O so as to up-lift the magnetic head section 6 to a position where 
the lower surface of the magnetic head section 6 does not contact the 
upper portion of the cartridge 17. The light pickup 4 is moved to a 
position above the outermost side of the disk by the light pickup 
transporting mechanism. Then, the lifting motor 35 is further rotated in 
the reverse direction, and the end portion of the first sliding plate 36 
is moved from O to N. This makes the second sliding plate 37 to slide in 
the +K direction, and the second supporting arm 8 linked to the first 
supporting arm 12 to move from a position on the first magnetic head 
guiding pins 13 to a position on the second magnetic head guiding pins 11 
via the linking gear 32 and the driving gear 33, thus holding the magnetic 
head section 6 in the predetermined retreat position on the side of the 
second magnetic head guiding pins 11. 
Also, the lifting motor 35 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the end 
portion of the first sliding plate 36 is moved from P to O. This slidably 
moves the third sliding plate 57 in the -K direction, and the second motor 
unit 41 is slidably moved towards the light pickup 4 (to the left in FIG. 
73(b)) via the linking gear 58. The first motor unit 40 is then moved 
downward by the lifting mechanism section to a space created by the slide 
movement of the second motor unit 41, and the cartridge 17 is up-lifted by 
the loading mechanism, and is moved laterally so as to be ejected out of 
the optical disk device. 
As described, by carrying out the retreating operation and the retreating 
releasing operation of the magnetic field applying means and the slide 
movement operation for the second motor unit 41 by the lifting motor 35 
which is a driving source of the lifting mechanism of the magnetic field 
applying means, it is not required to additionally provide a magnetic head 
section retreating motor for the magnetic head section 6 and the slide 
movement driving motor for the second motor unit 41, thus realizing a 
thinner and smaller magneto-optical display device with a low 
manufacturing cost. 
Further, since the magnetic head section 6 and the second motor unit 41 can 
be slidably moved simultaneously in accordance with the rotation of the 
lifting motor 35, it is possible to reduce the rising time, from the 
insertion of the cartridge to the start of recording and reproducing of 
information by the light pickup 4. 
As described, a first optical disk device of the present invention is 
characterized by including a first unit composed of a turn table for 
mounting an optical disk and a rotor magnet fixed to the turn table, a 
second unit having a first stator coil, provided side by side with the 
first unit in a lateral direction, a first moving mechanism for moving the 
first unit upward when loading the optical disk so as to mount the optical 
disk on the turn table, and a second moving mechanism for moving the 
second unit in the lateral direction so that the second unit is adjacent 
to the first unit thereunder which has been moved upward, the second unit 
moved to a predetermined position for allowing the rotor magnet and the 
turn table to be rotatably driven in accordance with the magnetic field 
from the first stator coil. 
With this arrangement, when loading the optical disk, the first unit is 
moved upward, and the second unit is moved laterally so as to be adjacent 
to the first unit thereunder. Then, the rotor magnet and the turn table 
are rotatably driven in accordance with the magnetic field from the first 
stator coil. As a result, the divided components of the spindle motor, the 
first unit and the second unit, are integrated as a single unit, allowing 
the same arrangement as the conventional integrated spindle motor, thereby 
realizing a thinner optical disk device 
A second optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the first optical disk device, is characterized in that 
there is provided a bearing support below the rotor magnet, for supporting 
the rotation shaft bearing of the turn table, and that at least a portion 
facing the first stator coil of the bearing support is made of a 
non-magnetic material. 
With this arrangement, at least a portion of the bearing support facing the 
first stator coil is made of a non-magnetic material so that a magnetic 
flux transmits through the bearing support. As a result, a stable magnetic 
circuit is formed by the rotor magnet and the first stator coil, thereby, 
in addition to the effect of the first optical disk device, reducing the 
adverse effect on the magnetic circuit characteristic, due to the presence 
of the bearing support in the magnetic gap. 
A third optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the first optical disk device, is characterized in that the 
second unit includes a cut-out portion for preventing, when moved in the 
lateral direction, interference with the bearing support, provided under 
the rotor magnet, for supporting the bearing of the turn table. 
With this arrangement, since the second unit is provided with the cut-out 
portion, interference with the bearing support is prevented when moved in 
the lateral direction. Thus, it is not required that the upper surface of 
the first stator coil be lower than the lower surface of the bearing 
support of the first motor unit, and therefore it is possible to provide a 
large margin for the first stator coil by the amount of the thickness of 
the bearing support, thereby allowing with ease, in addition to the effect 
of the first optical disk device, the thickness of the device to be 
reduced and a sufficient number of winding wires around the first stator 
coil. 
A fourth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the third optical disk device, is characterized in that the 
bearing support is provided with the second stator coil on a portion 
facing the rotor magnet. 
With this arrangement, the second stator coil is provided on a portion of 
the bearing support, facing the rotor magnet. As a result, the stator coil 
is provided over the entire region for generation of the motor rotation 
driving force, thereby, in addition to the effect of the third optical 
disk device, increasing the motor rotation driving force. 
A fifth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the fourth optical disk device, is characterized in that 
the second unit and the bearing support respectively include connection 
portions electrically connected to the first stator coil and the second 
stator coil, respectively, the both connection portions contacting each 
other when the second unit is moved to the predetermined position in the 
lateral direction. 
With this arrangement, the connection portions are energized when the 
second unit is moved laterally to the predetermined position, and 
accordingly the first stator coil and the second stator coil are 
energized. Therefore, it is not required to provide lead wires for 
energizing the first stator coil and the second stator coil, thereby 
preventing, in addition to the effect of the fourth optical disk device, 
the danger of wire breakage caused by repeated movement of lead wires, 
permitting a safe operation of the device. 
A sixth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangements of the first through fifth optical disk devices, is 
characterized in that the bearing support for supporting the bearing of 
the turn table is provided, on a portion facing the rotor magnet, with a 
hall element for detecting a position of the rotor magnet. 
With this arrangement, the hall element for detecting a position of the 
rotor magnet is provided on a portion of the bearing support, facing the 
rotor magnet. Thus, contrary to the case where the hall element is 
provided on the central portion of each coil of the first stator coil, 
even when the first stator coil is made small, the position of the hall 
element is assured, thereby, in addition to the effects of the first 
through fifth optical disk devices, allowing the position of the rotor 
magnet to be suitably detected. 
A seventh optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the third optical disk device, is characterized in that the 
bearing support or the second unit is provided with a moment cancelling 
section for cancelling a rotation moment with respect to the rotation 
shaft, induced by a magnetic absorption force generated between the second 
unit and the rotor magnet. 
With this arrangement, since the moment cancelling section is provided, 
even when a rotation moment is generated with respect to the rotation 
shaft by the presence of the cut-out portion on the second unit, such a 
rotation moment can be suppressed, thereby, in addition to the effect of 
the third optical disk device, preventing the operation characteristic of 
the spindle motor from being lowered. 
An eighth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the seventh optical disk device, is characterized in that 
the moment cancelling section is a magnetic portion made of a magnetic 
material, provided at least partially on the bearing support. 
With this arrangement, since the moment cancelling section is a magnetic 
portion made of a magnetic material, provided at least partially on the 
bearing support, it is possible, for example, to form the bearing support 
with a non-magnetic material excluding the magnetic portion so as to allow 
the magnetic flux to transmit through the non-magnetic portion. Thus, it 
is possible to obtain the moment cancelling effect as well as the effect 
of the stable magnetic circuit formed by the rotor magnet and the first 
stator coil, thereby, in addition to the effect of the seventh optical 
disk device, reducing the adverse effect on the magnetic circuit 
characteristic caused by the presence of the bearing support in the 
magnetic gap, and preventing the operation characteristic of the spindle 
motor from being lowered. 
A ninth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the seventh optical disk device, is characterized in that 
at least a portion of the bearing support, facing the rotor magnet, is 
made of a non-magnetic material, and the moment cancelling section is a 
support for the first stator coil, extending to the cut-out portion. 
With this arrangement, since the moment cancelling section is a support for 
the stator coil, extending to the cut-out portion, and the bearing support 
is made of a non-magnetic material, the magnetic flux is allowed to 
transmit through the bearing support. Thus, it is possible to obtain the 
moment cancelling effect as well as the effect of the stable magnetic 
circuit formed by the rotor magnet and the first stator coil, thereby, in 
addition to the effect of the seventh optical disk device, reducing the 
adverse effect on the magnetic circuit characteristic caused by the 
presence of the bearing support in the magnetic gap, and preventing the 
operation characteristic of the spindle motor from being lowered. 
A tenth optical disk device of the present invention is characterized by 
including a light pickup for projecting a light beam onto a disk encased 
in the cartridge placed in a recording/reproducing position through 
movement within a moving region of the device so as to detect reflected 
light off the disk, magnetic field applying means for applying a magnetic 
field to the disk when recording and erasing information, loading means 
for carrying out (1) a loading operation for placing the cartridge on the 
recording/reproducing position and (2) an unloading operation for ejecting 
the cartridge out of the optical disk device from the recording and 
reproducing position, and switching means for moving, during loading and 
unloading operations, the magnetic field applying means to a predetermined 
retreat position outside a moving region of the cartridge in the optical 
disk device, wherein the magnetic field applying means are separatable 
from and linkable to the light pickup, the switching means (i) separating, 
during loading and unloading operations of the cartridge, the magnetic 
field applying means from the light pickup so as to move the magnetic 
field applying means to the predetermined retreat position and (ii) 
linking, during a recording operation on the disk in the cartridge, the 
magnetic field applying means to the light pickup. 
With this arrangement, during loading and unloading operations of the 
cartridge, the switching means move the magnetic field applying means to 
the retreat position outside the moving region of the cartridge. The 
direction of the retreat is not in the thickness of the cartridge, but is 
in a direction parallel to the disk surface. Therefore, it is not required 
to move the magnetic field applying means above the space required for the 
movement of the cartilage during loading and unloading operations. In 
other words, it is not required to move the magnetic field applying means 
in the thickness direction of the cartridge. Thus, even when the magnetic 
field applying means are moved for retreating, the moving range is within 
the thickness which is required regardless of whether the magnetic field 
applying means are moved or moved, thereby realizing a thinner optical 
disk device. 
Also, as described, during loading and unloading operations of the 
cartridge, while the magnetic field applying means are moved separately 
from the light pickup to the retreat position outside the moving region of 
the cartridge, the light pickup is not moved. Thus, when the loading of 
the cartridge is finished, the light pickup is not moved to the disk side 
from the retreat position. This prevents the light pickup from colliding 
the cartridge so that it is possible to adopt an arrangement wherein the 
light pickup is placed in the window provided on the cartridge when 
driving the disk, thereby realizing a thinner optical disk device. 
Also, during recording of information on the disk encased in the cartridge, 
the switching means link the magnetic field applying means to the light 
pickup, and the magnetic field applying means linked to the light pickup 
are moved on the disk in accordance with the light pickup. Thus, the 
positioning control of the magnetic head section on the light pickup is 
not interfered. 
An eleventh optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the tenth embodiment, is characterized in that the 
switching means link the magnetic field applying means to the light pickup 
by a magnetic absorption force of a magnet. 
With this arrangement, since the magnetic field applying means are linked 
to the light pickup by the magnetic absorption force of the magnet, it is 
possible to securely link the magnetic field applying means to the light 
pickup with a significantly simple structure, thereby, in addition to the 
effect of the tenth optical disk device, simplifying the structure of the 
optical disk device. 
A twelfth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the tenth optical disk device, is characterized by 
including detecting means for detecting whether a disk which has been 
loaded is a read-only disk or a recordable disk, wherein the switching 
means (I) hold, in a case where the detecting means detects that the disk 
is a read-only disk, the magnetic field applying means in the retreat 
position and (II) link, in a case where the detecting means detects that 
the disk is a recordable disk, the magnetic field applying means to the 
light pickup. 
With this arrangement, the detecting means detects whether the disk which 
has been loaded is a read-only disk or a recordable disk, and when a 
read-only disk is detected, the switching means continue to hold the 
magnetic field applying means to the retreat position. As a result, only 
the light pickup is moved in the radial direction of the disk, and 
reproducing operation is carried out. On the other hand, when a recordable 
disk is detected, the switching means link the magnetic field applying 
means to the light pickup. As a result, the light pickup and the magnetic 
field applying means are integrally moved in the radial direction of the 
disk, and recording operation is carried out. 
Thus, in the case of the read-only disk, since the light pickup, which is a 
member to be subjected to tracking control, is moved while not being 
linked to the magnetic field applying means, the weight of a member to be 
subjected to tracking control can be significantly reduced, thereby, in 
addition to the effect of the tenth optical disk device, greatly reducing 
the power consumption of the transporting motor carrying out the tracking 
control of the light pickup. 
A thirteenth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the tenth embodiment, is characterized in that the 
operation by the switching means for separating the magnetic field 
applying means from the light pickup for moving the magnetic field 
applying means to the retreat position is carried out by the loading 
means. 
With this arrangement, the magnetic field applying means are separated from 
the light pickup by the loading means such as the loading motor so as to 
be moved to the retreat position. Also, the magnetic field applying means 
are moved from the retreat position by the loading means so as to be 
linked to the light pickup. 
Thus, the retreating and retreating releasing operations can be carried out 
without additionally providing a specialized driving means such as a 
motor. 
As a result, in addition to the effect of the tenth optical disk device, it 
is possible to provide the retreating mechanism of the magnetic field 
applying means inexpensively. 
A fourteenth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the tenth optical disk device, is characterized by 
including separating-contacting means for changing a distance between a 
disk facing surface of the magnetic field applying means and a surface of 
the disk, wherein the operation by the switching means for separating the 
magnetic field applying means from the light pickup for moving the 
magnetic field applying means to the retreat position is carried out by 
the separating-contacting means. 
With this arrangement, the magnetic field applying means are separated from 
the light pickup by the separating-contacting means such as the lifting 
motor so as to be moved to the retreat position. Also, the magnetic field 
applying means are moved from the retreat position by the 
separating-contacting means so as to be linked to the light pickup. 
Thus, the retreating and retreating releasing operations of the magnetic 
field applying means can be carried out without additionally providing a 
specialized driving means such as a motor. 
As a result, in addition to the effect of the tenth optical disk device, it 
is possible to provide the retreating mechanism of the magnetic field 
applying means inexpensively. 
A fifteenth optical disk device of the present invention is characterized 
by including a light pickup for projecting a light beam onto a disk 
encased in the cartridge placed in a recording/reproducing position 
through movement within a moving region of the device so as to detect 
reflected light off the disk, a light pickup guiding member for guiding 
the light pickup in the radial direction of the disk, magnetic field 
applying means for applying a magnetic field to the disk when recording 
and erasing information, a motor for rotating the disk, and loading means 
for (1) loading the cartridge to the recording/reproducing position and 
(2) unloading the cartridge out of the optical disk device from the 
recording and reproducing position, wherein the motor includes (a) a first 
motor unit which moves towards the loaded disk and (b) a second motor unit 
which moves between a first space adjacent to the first motor unit before 
moving towards the disk and a second space which is created by the 
movement of the first motor unit towards the disk, and the movement of the 
second motor unit is guided by the light pickup guiding member. 
With this arrangement, when a disk is loaded, the first motor unit is moved 
towards the disk, and the second motor unit is moved to a space created by 
the movement of the first motor unit so as to be linked to the first motor 
unit, and the disk is rotated. The moving direction can be made in a 
direction parallel to the disk surface. When unloading the disk, the 
second motor unit is moved to the first space and the first motor unit is 
moved to the second space. In this manner, the motor is provided as 
separate units so as to be confined in a thin space, thereby realizing a 
thinner optical disk device. 
Also, as described, since the movement of the second motor unit is guided 
by the member provided for guiding of the light pickup, it is not required 
to provide a guiding mechanism specifically for the second motor unit, 
thus making the device smaller, and preventing the manufacturing cost from 
increasing. 
Further, in general, the relative positions of the first motor unit and the 
light pickup are accurately determined, and as described, by guiding the 
movement of the second motor unit by the member provided for guiding the 
light pickup, the relative positions of the second motor unit and the 
light pickup can also be accurately determined. As a result, it is also 
possible to accurately determine the relative positions of the first and 
second motor units, thereby permitting stable recording and reproducing. 
A sixteenth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the fifteenth optical disk device, is characterized by 
including (a) switching means for (i) moving, during loading and unloading 
operations, the magnetic field applying means to a predetermined retreat 
position outside a moving region of the cartridge in the optical disk 
device and (ii) linking, during recording operation on the disk in the 
cartridge, the magnetic field applying means to the light pickup, wherein 
the magnetic field applying means are separatable from and linkable to the 
light pickup, and (b) controlling means for controlling the second unit 
and the switching means so as to simultaneously start the moving of the 
second motor unit to the second space and the linking of the magnetic 
field applying means to the light pickup by the switching means. 
With this arrangement, since (A) the moving of the second motor unit to the 
second space and (B) the linking of the magnetic field applying means to 
the light pickup by the switching means are started at the same time, the 
total time for finishing the operations of (A) and (B) is the longer of 
the time required for (A) and (B), rather than the combination of the time 
for (A) and (B) which would have been the case if the operations of (A) 
and (B) were carried out separately. Thus, it is possible to reduce the 
preparation time for the recording operation on the loaded disk, thereby, 
in addition to the effect of the fifteenth optical disk device, allowing a 
quick start for the recording operation. 
A seventeenth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the fifteenth optical disk device, is characterized by 
including switching means for (i) moving, during loading and unloading 
operations, the magnetic field applying means to a predetermined retreat 
position outside a moving region of the cartridge in the optical disk 
device and (ii) linking, during recording operation on the disk in the 
cartridge, the magnetic field applying means to the light pickup, wherein 
the magnetic field applying means are separatable from and linkable to the 
light pickup, wherein (A) the moving of the second motor unit to the 
second space and (B) the linking of the magnetic field applying means to 
the light pickup by the switching means are carried out by a single 
driving source. 
With this arrangement, since the second motor unit and the magnetic field 
applying means are moved by a single driving source, it is not required to 
separately provide the driving source, thus preventing the manufacturing 
cost from being increased. 
Also, since a single driving source is used, (A) the second motor unit and 
(B) the magnetic field applying means are moved simultaneously. Thus, the 
total time for finishing the moving of (A) and (B) is the longer of the 
time required for (A) and (B) , rather than the combination of the time 
for (A) and (B) which would have been the case if the moving of (A) and 
(B) were carried out separately. Thus, it is possible to reduce the 
preparation time for the recording operation on the loaded disk, thereby, 
in addition to the effect of the fifteenth optical disk device, allowing a 
quick start for the recording operation. 
An eighteenth optical disk device, having the arrangement of the 
seventeenth optical disk device, is characterized in that (A) the moving 
of the second motor unit to the second space and (B) the moving of the 
magnetic field applying means by the switching means are carried out by 
the loading means. 
With this arrangement, the magnetic field applying means are separated from 
the light pickup by the loading means such as the loading motor so as to 
be moved to the retreat position. Also, the magnetic field applying means 
are moved from the retreat position by the loading means so as to be 
linked to the light pickup. The second motor unit is also moved between 
the first space and the second space by the loading means. Thus, the 
retreating and retreating releasing operations of the magnetic field 
applying means and the moving of the second motor unit can be carried out 
without additionally providing a specialized driving means such as a 
motor, thereby, in addition to the effect of the seventeenth optical disk 
device, providing the moving mechanism of the second motor unit and the 
retreating mechanism of the magnetic field applying means inexpensively. 
A nineteenth optical disk device of the present invention, having the 
arrangement of the seventeenth optical disk device, is characterized by 
including separating-contacting means for changing a distance between a 
disk facing surface of the magnetic field applying means and a surface of 
the disk, wherein the moving of the second motor unit and the moving of 
the magnetic field applying means by the switching means are carried out 
by the separating-contacting means. 
With this arrangement, the magnetic field applying means are separated from 
the light pickup by the separating-contacting means such as the lifting 
motor so as to be moved to the retreat position. Also, the magnetic field 
applying means are moved from the retreat position by the 
separating-contacting means so as to be linked to the light pickup. The 
second motor unit is also moved between the first space and the second 
space by the separating-contacting means. Thus, the moving of the second 
motor unit and the retreating and retreating releasing operations of the 
magnetic field applying means can be carried out without additionally 
providing a specialized driving means such as a motor, thereby, in 
addition to the effect of the seventeenth optical disk device, providing 
the moving mechanism of the second motor unit and the retreating mechanism 
of the magnetic field applying means inexpensively. 
Note that in the present invention, reference to "lateral direction" and 
"vertical direction" is made with respect to the case where the optical 
disk is positioned above the first unit, and therefore the "lateral 
direction" and "vertical direction" do not necessarily indicate such 
directions in a general sense. 
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.