Vibration proof mechanism

Abstract: A vibration proofing mechanism whose springs are not required to be newly extended when the mounting position of an apparatus using the mechanism is changed. Two types of vibration proofing springs (3,4) extend between the cabinet (2) of the apparatus and a floating chassis (1) in different directions. A displacement adjusting spring (7) extends between a spring latch (6) movably supported by the cabinet and the floating chassis. The displacement adjusting spring corrects the displacement of the floating chassis relative to the cabinet caused by the force acting to the vibration proofing springs in the direction different from the direction of gravitational force.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Field of the Invention) The present invention relates to a vibration proof mechanism used for apparatus whose mounting position can be changed, and particularly suitable for application to optical disk players. (Description of the Related Background Art) Fig. 3A and 3B show an example of the structure of a vibration proof mechanism of a conventional optical player capable of taking two mounting positions. In Fig. 3A and 3B, the cabinet D of the player is shown transparent so as to indicate the interior thereof. As shown in Fig. 3A and 3B, if the optical disk player is used at a horizontal mounting position, vibration damping springs A extend between a floating chassis B and the cabinet D so as to horizontally suspend the floating chassis B. If the optical disk player is used at a vertical mounting position, blanking panels C are opened to disconnect the vibration damping springs A from the original positions and thereafter extend them again between the cabinet D and floating chassis B at different positions as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, so as to vertically suspend the floating chassis B. With the conventional vibration proof mechanism described above: vibration damping springs are required to be disconnected once and thereafter extended at different positions, so as to meet a changed mounting position of the apparatus. The number of vibration damping springs is two at the minimum, or in some case four springs are used. Thereafter, the or of extending again springs at different positions is cumbersome and time consuming. Moreover, two blanking panels are required, resulting in high production cost of the apparatus. JP-A-2 287 994 describes a vibration proof mechanism for an apparatus having a floating chassis supported by springs in a floating state. Said apparatus is adapted to take horizontal and vertical mounting positions. In the mechanism, the floating chassis is suspended by one single set of vibration damping springs, suspended on rotating plates, pivotally secured to the cabinet and movable in two different positions corresponding to the two mounting positions of the apparatus. The direction of said vibration damping springs is therefore adjustable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vibration proofing mechanism capable of readily changing the mounting position of an apparatus and reducing production cost. According to the invention, the above object is achieved by a vibration proof mechanism according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are claimed in claims 2 and 3. According to the vibration proof mechanism of the present invention, the direction of total force applied to the vibration damping springs takes a predetermined direction relative to the floating chassis. The direction of gravitational force applied to the floating chassis changes by 90 degrees between the horizontal and vertical mounting positions of the apparatus which uses the vibration proof mechanism. The total of the force applied to the vibration damping springs and the gravitational force applied to the floating chassis is represented by two vectors. The position of the spring latch for the displacement adjusting spring is changed between the vertical and horizontal mounting positions, so that a force having the same strength as, and opposite direction to, those of the two vectors is applied to the floating chassis. Therefore, even if the mounting position of the apparatus changes, the position of the floating chassis relative to the cabinet can be maintained unchanged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A is a side view showing an optical disk player at its horizontal mounting position, using a vibration proof mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1B is a side view showing the optical disk player at its vertical mounting position shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 2 is an enlarged and detailed view showing part of the optical disk player shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 3A is a front view of an optical disk player at its horizontal mounting position, using a conventional vibration proof mechanism, Fig. 3B is a side view of the optical disk player at its horizontal mounting position shown in Fig. 3A, Fig. 3C is a front view of the optical disk player at its vertical mounting position shown in Fig. 3A, and Fig. 3D is a side view of the optical disk player at its vertical mounting position shown in Fig. 3C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the vibration proof mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1A is a side view showing an optical disk player at its horizontal mounting position, using a vibration proof mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1B is a side view showing the optical disk player at its vertical mounting position shown in fig. 1A. In Figs. 1A and lB, the cabinet 2 of the optical disk player is shown transparent so as to indicate the interior of the player. Four vibration damping springs 3 and two vibration damping springs 4 extend between a floating chassis 1 and the cabinet 2. The directions of force applied to the vibration damping springs 3 and 4 are different by 90 degrees. The direction of force applied to the vibration damping springs 3 is vertical when the player is placed at its horizontal mounting position, whereas the direction of force applied to the vibration damping, springs 4 is vertical when the player is placed at its vertical mounting position. A displacement adjusting spring 7 extends between the floating chassis 1 and a spring latch 6. As shown in detail in Fig.2, the spring latch 6 is fixedly mounted on a rotary shaft 5 which is rotatably supported by a tongue 2a made by partially cutting the wall of the cabinet 2 and raising it inward within the cabinet 2. The rotary shaft 5 can be rotated using a screw driver 8 by inserting it via an opening 2b, which was formed in the wall of the cabinet at the place under the tongue, in a notch formed in the bottom of the rotary shaft 5. Although not shown, the rotary shaft 5 is provided with stoppers for stably stopping it at two positions different by 180 degrees. The spring moduli of the vibration damping springs are determined so as to satisfy the following equation: W = 4Wa = 2Wb = Wc where W is a weight of the floating chassis 1, Wa is a force applied to each vibration damping spring 3, Wb is a force applied to each vibration damping spring 4, and Wc is a force applied to the displacement adjusting spring 7. In operation of the vibration proof mechanism constructed as above, if the optical disk player takes its horizontal mounting position as shown in Fig.lA, the rotation position of the rotary shaft 5 is set such that the direction of force applied to the displacement adjusting spring 7 becomes horizontal. In this condition, the weight of the floating chassis 1 , or gravitational force applied to it, equilibrates the force applied to the vibration damping springs 3, and the force applied to the vibration damping springs 4 equilibrates the force applied to the displacement adjusting spring 7. If the optical disk player takes its vertical position as shown in Fig.1B, the rotary shaft 5 is rotated to the position where the direction of force applied to the displacement adjusting spring 7 becomes horizontal. In this condition, the gravitational force applied to the floating chassis 1 equilibrates the force applied to the vibration damping springs 4, and the force applied to the vibration damping springs 3 equlibrates the force applied to the displacement adjusting spring 7. In such a manner, the position of the floating chassis 1 relative to the cabinet 2 will not change between the vertical and horizontal mounting positions of the player. According to the vibration proof mechanism of the present invention, it is not necessary, for the operation of changing the mounting position, to disconnect vibration damping springs and thereafter extend them again. The mounting position of the player can be easily changed by any novice using a jig such as a screw driver. Furthermore, conventional blanking plates covering windows are not necessary, reducing prcduction cost of the player.

Claims: A vibration proof mechanism for an apparatus having a floating chassis (1) suspended by springs (3, 4, 7) in a floating and vibration proof state within a cabinet (2) said cabinet (2) being adapted to be used in the horizontal or the vertical mounting position, said vibration proof mechanism comprising: a predetermined number of first vibration damping springs (3) extending between the cabinet (2) and said floating chassis (1) suspending the floating chassis (1) in that the cabinet (2) in the horizontal mounting position; a predetermined number of second vibration damping springs (4) extending between the cabinet (2) and said floating chassis (1) suspending the floating chassis (1) in the cabinet (2) in the vertical mounting position; and a displacement adjusting spring (7) extending between a spring latch (6) and said floating chassis (1), said spring latch (6) being supported by the cabinet (2) and being operable into two different positions associated to the horizontal and the vertical mounting position of the cabinet (2) respectively in order to apply in its two positions forces to the chassis (1), which compensate for the forces applied by the vibration damping springs (3,4) which are not active for suspension at the respective mounting positions of the cabinet (2). A vibration proof mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said spring latch (6) is fixedly mounted on a rotary shaft (5), said rotary shaft being rotably supported by a tongue (2a) formed by partially cutting the wall of the cabinet. A vibration proof mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a notch is formed in said rotary shaft (5), said notch being accessible externally of said cabinet (2) to rotate said rotary shaft (5).

Inventors: OHSAKI KIYOSHI, WATANABE MASATO, OHSAKI, KIYOSHI, WATANABE, MASATO
Applicants: KENWOOD CORP, KABUSHIKI KAISHA KENWOOD
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G11B33
IPC codes: F16F15, G11B33