Disc cartridge

Abstract: A disc cartridge has first and second shutters (8, 28) slidably mounted on a casing (2) for selectively opening and closing first and second apertures (2d, 2k). First and second shutter openers (13, 33) are respectively connected to the first and second shutters (8, 28). Only the first aperture (8) is opened using the first shutter opener (13) when the disc cartridge is loaded in a standard specifications or existing recording and/or reproducing apparatus. When the disc cartridge is loaded in an optional specifications apparatus, both the first and second shutter openers (13, 33) are used to open the first and second apertures (2d, 2k), respectively. A disc cartridge compatible with both new plural head recording and reproducing apparatuses and existing single head recording and reproducing apparatuses is thus provided while offering improved resistance to penetration of dust and other foreign matter into the casing (2) by opening only the aperture(s) required for head insertion.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a disc cartridge for accommodating a disc for use in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus which records or reproduces information on or from business image files, computer data files, or other editable data files, or for use in a reproducing apparatus such as, for example, a CD player. In particular, the present invention relates to a disc cartridge for use in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a plurality of heads. Description of the Prior Art Discs such as optical discs used for data storage are usually accommodated in a disc cartridge which is then loaded into a recording and/or reproducing apparatus because of concerns about dust, fingerprints, and other foreign contaminants adhering to the disc surface. The disc cartridge usually has an aperture enabling insertion of heads and a disc drive motor spindle, and a shutter to open and close the aperture. In the disc cartridge described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication (unexamined) No. 61-983 (filed on June 12, 1984), plural apertures enabling compatibility with plural heads on a single side of the disc are provided, and a single shutter opens and closes the plural apertures. In this disc cartridge, the plural apertures enabling insertion of the motor spindle and the plural heads are provided in-line in a casing, and the shutter of a rectangular box-like structure is slidably accommodated in the casing to open and close the plural apertures. JP 1 146 178 A, DE 3 908 032 A and EP 164 647 disclose disc cartridges according to the preamble of claim 1. In this type of disc cartridge, however, the shutter is relatively long radially to the disc because the plural in-line apertures are opened and closed by the single shutter. This shutter dimension becomes particularly long with large diameter discs having a diameter of 300 mm or greater. The shutter thus tends to flex in a direction longitudinally thereof, allowing dust and other foreign matter to enter from a gap between the shutter and the casing, and even causing the shutter to contact the disc surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed to overcome the above-described disadvantages. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a high reliability disc cartridge which provides better protection against the entry of dust and other foreign matter into the casing, and prevents contact between the shutter and the disc. In particular, a disc cartridge compatible with plural heads accessing a single side of the disc is provided. In accomplishing the above and other objects, a disc cartridge according to the present invention is defined according to claim 1. A disc cartridge compatible with plural heads provided on one or both sides of the disc, and that can be used with both new recording and reproducing apparatuses having plural heads and conventional or existing recording and reproducing apparatuses with a single head, can be provided. By maintaining compatibility with conventional casing designs in the shutter opening and closing mechanism, the shutter can be automatically opened and closed during loading and unloading in both new recording and reproducing apparatuses with plural heads and conventional recording and reproducing apparatuses with a single head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disc cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention when not loaded in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the disc cartridge of Fig. 1 when loaded and positioned in the recording and/or reproducing apparatus; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the disc cartridge of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is another partially exploded perspective view of the disc cartridge of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part VI in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a schematic view indicating various areas of a disc accommodated in the disc cartridge of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but indicating a modification thereof; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but indicating another modification thereof; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but indicating a further modification thereof; and Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but indicating a still further modification thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figs. 1 through 7 a disc cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that a recording and/or reproducing apparatus is not shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Figs. 1 through 7, a disc 1 has a recording surface on one or both sides. Data such as, for example, user data or control data are recorded to and read from a data area 1a. A center hole area 1b is provided coaxially to a disc motor spindle (not shown in the figures) of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and is the area whereby the disc 1 is mounted on the disc motor spindle. A turntable area 1c is the part of the disc 1 that rides on a turntable (not shown in the figures) of the disc motor when the disc is loaded in the apparatus. A non-data area 1d is provided radially inwardly of the data area 1a and radially outwardly of the turntable area 1c, and no data is recorded to or reproduced from the non-data area 1d. Another non-data area le is provided radially outwardly of the data area 1a, and no data is recorded to or reproduced from the non-data area 1e. A head movement area 1f is the area through which the head (not shown in the figures) moves when recording to or reproducing data from the data area 1a. When data is recorded to or reproduced from the inside circumference area of the data area 1a, the head projects outside the data area 1a to the +X axis side. When data is recorded to or reproduced from the outside circumference side of the data area 1a, the head projects outside the data area 1a to the -X axis side. The head movement area 1f is therefore wider than the data area 1a by an amount equal to the width of the head extending beyond the data area 1a at each of the inside and outside circumference sides. An optimum shutter middle retainer area 1g is positioned radially inwardly of the head movement area 1f and overlaps the inside circumference area of the inside non-data area 1d, and is the area at which a shutter middle retainer 15 (described below) should be positioned for greatest effectiveness. One end of a head support member or ends of head support members (e.g., two guide shafts), which support and allow movement of the head in the X direction, i.e., radially to the disc, are mounted on that part of the apparatus which is opposed to the optimum shutter middle retainer area 1g. An optimum shutter retainer area 1h is positioned radially outwardly of the head movement area 1f, and is the area at which a shutter retainer 14 (described below) should be positioned for greatest effectiveness. A casing 2 is formed by a top half 2a and a bottom half 2b fastened together by screws or heat fusion. The top and bottom halves 2a, 2b are molded from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin or another resin to form a disc cavity or pocket 2c in which the disc 1 is held inside the casing 2 when the two halves 2a and 2b are joined. Two apertures 2d and 2k are formed in the casing 2. The first aperture 2d allows insertion of a first head, a disc motor spindle, and a disc clamp from the apparatus. The second aperture 2k is provided in line with the first aperture 2d in a direction of insertion of the disc 1 to the apparatus, and allows insertion of a second head provided in the apparatus. Positioning holes 2f, one of which is round and the other oval (both shown as being round in the figures), are used to correctly position the casing 2 when loaded in the apparatus. Positioning notches 2g are provided for compatibility with stocker type or so-called juke-box type apparatus which accommodate plural disc cartridges and automatically load and unload them. The positioning notches 2g specifically enable chucking in an automatic loading and unloading mechanism. V-shaped positioning notches 2i enable chucking when the disc cartridge is loaded in the apparatus. A pin 2ℓ is used to hold one end 11a of a spring 11, which is discussed later. A channel 9a in a shutter guide 9 rides on a rail 2m. A channel 13a in a shutter opener 13 rides on a rail 2n. A positioning channel 2o in which the shutter retainer 14 is mounted is provided at a position corresponding to the optimum shutter retainer area 1h of the disc 1. A positioning channel 2p in which the shutter middle retainer 15 is mounted is provided at a position corresponding to the optimum shutter middle retainer area 1g of the disc 1. A channel 2q enabling a shutter 8 to slide in the Y direction is formed at a position lower than both the positioning channels 2o and 2p. The shutter 8 simultaneously opens and closes both the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k. The shutter guide 9 holds the shutter 8 with screws, for example, with the channel 9a fit in the rail 2m to enable sliding in the Y direction, thus forming a guide whereby the shutter 8 slides in the Y direction relative to the casing 2. The shutter guide 9 is preferably of polyacetal or another resin providing the lowest possible sliding resistance and wear when moved against the mating material (i.e., the ABS casing 2 in this embodiment). A belt 10 has one end 10a secured by, for example, a screw to a screw hole 9c in the shutter guide 9, and the other end 10b secured by, for example, a screw to the shutter opener 13. The belt 10 is guided by pulleys 12 mounted in the casing 2. One end 11a of the spring 11 is caught on the pin 2ℓ in the casing 2, and the other end 11b is hooked in a hole 9d of the shutter guide 9. When the disc cartridge is not loaded in the apparatus, i.e., when it is not in use, the spring 11 pulls the shutter 8 closed over the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k. The shutter opener 13 fits over the rail 2n, and slides in the X direction. The shutter retainer 14 extends in the Y direction and is fastened to the positioning channel 2o with adhesive, for example, with an end 8b of the shutter 8 held between the shutter retainer 14 and the channel 2q, thus preventing the end 8b of the shutter 8 from lifting up in the Z direction. The shutter middle retainer 15 extends parallel to the shutter retainer 14 and is fastened to the positioning channel 2p with adhesive, for example, with the middle of the shutter 8 held between the shutter middle retainer 15 and the channel 2q, thus preventing the middle of the shutter 8 from lifting up in the Z direction. The shutter middle retainer 15 thus reduces bending of the shutter 8 in the X direction, and reduces the gap between the shutter 8 and casing 2. The operation of the disc cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention thus comprised is described below. The operation whereby the disc cartridge is loaded and positioned in the apparatus is described first. When the disc cartridge is held at the -X axis side thereof and inserted to the apparatus, the positioning notches 2i in the casing 2 are chucked by holding pins of a cartridge guide mechanism of the apparatus, and the disc cartridge is thus guided in the +X direction, i.e., into the apparatus. When the end 13b of the shutter opener 13 is caught by a claw in the apparatus, a +X direction movement of the casing 2 causes the shutter opener 13 to move in the - X direction relative to the casing 2. The belt 10 connected to the shutter opener 13 thus pulls the spring 11, and the shutter 8 moves in the -Y direction to fully open the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k. The casing 2 is accurately positioned by, for example, positioning pins of the apparatus using the positioning holes 2f. The disc motor spindle and disc clamp of the apparatus are inserted through the first aperture 2d, and the disc 1 is thus clamped by the clamp coaxially to the disc motor turntable. A total four heads may be inserted using the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k on each side of the disc 1 with a first head and a second head inserted to the respective apertures. It is thereby possible to record, read, and erase data from the disc. The operation whereby the disc cartridge is ejected from the apparatus is described next. When the positioning of the casing 2 by the use of the positioning holes 2f is released, the disc clamp is also released, the disc motor spindle and clamp of the apparatus are removed from the first aperture 2d, and the first and second heads are removed from the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k, respectively. The disc cartridge is then ejected by essentially the reverse of the loading operation. It follows that when the positioning notches 2i are unchucked and the apparatus claw disengages from the end 13b of the shutter opener 13, the restoring force of the spring 11 moves the shutter 8 in the +Y direction to completely close the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k. The shutter opener 13 is also moved in the +X direction via the belt 10. When the disc cartridge is ejected from the apparatus, the permanent tension of the spring 11 on the shutter 8 closes both the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k. By guiding the middle of the shutter 8 at a position corresponding to the inside non-data area 1d of the disc 1 (and particularly the optimum shutter middle retainer area 1g in this embodiment) using the shutter middle retainer 15 provided on the casing 2, a high reliability disc cartridge can be provided wherein flexing of the shutter 8 can be effectively suppressed, penetration of dust and other foreign matter to the casing 2 can be prevented, and contact between the shutter 8 and disc 1 can be prevented without reducing the size of the data area 1a. By providing the second aperture 2k in line with the first aperture 2d on the opposite side of the center of the disc 1, and providing a single shutter 8 in the casing 2 to open and close both the first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k, the disc cartridge can be used with an apparatus having plural heads on one or both sides of the disc. This disc cartridge is specifically compatible with an apparatus having a total four heads, two heads on each side of the disc with one head inserted to each of the apertures on each side of the disc. In addition, because plural apertures are opened and closed by a single shutter 8, a disc cartridge with real practical effectiveness can be provided at a low cost, simple construction, and with a small number of parts while efficiently preventing penetration of dust and other foreign matter inside the casing 2. It is to be noted that the position of the shutter middle retainer 15 in the X direction corresponds to the optimum shutter middle retainer area 1g of the disc 1 in this embodiment, but it is sufficient if the shutter middle retainer 15 is positioned as corresponding to the inside non-data area 1d of the disc 1. Accordingly, the shutter middle retainer 15 may be positioned near the data area 1a in the inside non-data area 1d. When provided near the data area 1a, however, the head movement area 1f will be restricted, imposing certain limits on the apparatus, and particularly on the head configuration. It is therefore preferred for the shutter middle retainer 15 to be provided near the turntable area 1c, i.e., at the optimum shutter middle retainer area 1g, as described in the above embodiment. While both the shutter middle retainer 15 and shutter retainer 14 are provided in the embodiment above, the shutter retainer 14 can be eliminated as may be required as shown in Fig. 8, a first alternative configuration of this embodiment shown as loaded and positioned in the apparatus. The shutter middle retainer 15 is provided at the second aperture side, i.e., on the -X side of the disc 1, in this embodiment, but the shutter middle retainer 15 may be provided as required at the first aperture side, i.e., on the +X side of the disc 1, as shown in Fig. 9, a second alternative configuration of this embodiment shown as loaded and positioned in the apparatus. The shutter middle retainer 15 is provided at the second aperture side, i.e., only on the -X side of the disc 1, in this embodiment, but the shutter middle retainer 15 may be provided as required on both +X and -X sides of the disc 1 as shown in Fig. 10, a third alternative configuration of this embodiment shown as loaded and positioned in the apparatus. The dust resistance of this configuration is even greater. The first aperture 2d and second aperture 2k are also provided on +X and -X sides of the disc center in the first embodiment to enable use of more heads, but it is also possible to provide the aperture 2d on only the +X side of the disc center as may be required. This is the most common disc cartridge configuration, and is shown in Fig. 11 as a fourth alternative configuration of this embodiment shown as loaded and positioned in the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment and first alternative configuration of this embodiment as described above, the first aperture 2d is a single hole enabling insertion of the head, disc motor spindle, and clamp. As shown in the second to fourth alternative embodiments above, the first aperture 2d can be configured for head insertion only, while providing a separate hole for insertion of the disc motor spindle and clamp. The type of disc 1 housed in the casing 2 is not limited in the embodiment above, and any type of disc can be used, including, for example, phase-change erasable optical discs, magnetooptical discs, and removable magnetic discs. In the embodiment above, a mechanical clamp method is used to secure the disc 1 to the disc motor turntable by clamping the disc 1 between the turntable and a clamp inserted through the aperture 2d in the top half 2a of the casing 2 but other clamping methods can be alternatively used. For example, a magnetic clamping method can be used wherein a magnet or magnets are provided on the turntable to magnetically attract the disc. In this case, the aperture defined in the top half at a position corresponding to the clamp insertion area, i.e., around the center of the disc is no longer required. It is important to note the recent development of apparatuses for recording and/or reproducing digitally encoded motion pictures using NTSC composite signals, component signals, or HDTV-format signals. These apparatuses feature an improved data transfer rate by providing plural heads on one or both sides of the disc, and recording/reproducing the data by simultaneously accessing plural data blocks with plural heads. Other apparatuses have been developed for simultaneously accessing plural channels in the recording/reproducing of audio signals, for example, by providing plural heads on one or both sides of the disc. Disc cartridges according to the present invention are suited for use with such apparatuses capable of recording and/or reproducing motion pictures at a high data transfer rate, and with apparatuses capable of simultaneously recording and/or reproducing audio signals from plural channels because they enable the insertion of plural heads from one or plural apertures. Apparatuses offering a variety of optional capabilities by providing first and second heads on one or both sides of the disc to separately record/reproduce various types of data signals, including image information, have also been developed. One method used in such apparatuses moves the second head to a second data access point during data recording/reproduction by the first head to enable continuous, uninterrupted recording/reproduction by the second head immediately after recording/reproduction by the first head is completed. It is also possible to record data with the first head and simultaneously reproduce the recorded data with the second head. It should be noted that apparatuses have been developed and marketed in two versions, a standard specifications version equipped with only the first head, and an optional specifications version equipped with both the first and second heads enabling the functions described above. Conventional apparatuses having a conventional head, and in most cases only one head, are widely available as image filing systems for business, computer storage systems, and CD players. This makes it extremely important for new apparatuses offering higher performance by having plural heads on one or both disc sides to retain read or read/write compatibility with existing discs used in the conventional apparatuses. To read or read/write with these discs in a new apparatus, the disc is removed from the casing and loaded into a new casing. Of course, it may also be necessary to read or read/write this disc assembled into the new casing in the conventional apparatus. It is therefore extremely important for the new casing housing the disc to be compatible with the loading/unloading mechanism used with the existing casing in the conventional apparatus. The disc cartridge according to the present invention is therefore suited for use with new apparatuses offering read or read/write compatibility with the discs used in these conventional apparatuses in the large markets for business image filing systems, computer storage systems, and CD players. Although the present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications otherwise depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.

Claims: A disc cartridge for accommodating a rotatable disc (1) having a data area (1a) and a non-data area (1d) both defined therein in a direction circumferentially thereof, said non-data area (1d) being positioned radially inwardly of said data area (1a), said disc cartridge comprising: a casing (2) extending in X and Y directions and having a disc cavity (2c) defined therein for accomodating the disc (1) therein and also having a first aperture (2d) defined therein, said first aperture (2d) being adapted to enable insertion of a disc motor spindle and a first head of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough when said disc cartridge is loaded in such an apparatus and an inner channel (29) in said casing (2); and a shutter (8) extending longitudinally in X direction and mounted on said casing (2) for sliding movement in Y direction in said inner channel (29) between open and closed positions, said shutter (8) in said closed position closing said first aperture (2d); characterized by at least one shutter retainer (15), secured to said casing (2) at a position corresponding to the non-data area (1d) of the disc (1), for retaining and guiding said shutter (8) at an intermediate portion with respect to the longitudinal (X) direction of said shutter (8). The disc cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said shutter (8) extends substantially across the full length (X-direction) of said casing (2), and wherein said casing (2) further has a second aperture (2k) defined therein in line with, and on one side of a center of the disc (1) opposite to, said first aperture (2d), said second aperture (2k) being adapted to enable insertion of a second head of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus therethrough when said disc cartridge is loaded into such an apparatus, and wherein said shutter (8) also closes said second aperture (2k) when in the closed position. A disc cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the casing (2) is provided at its outside with a retainer channel (2p) in which the shutter retainer (15) is secured.

Inventors: MIYAZAKI BENICHI, MURAI JUNICHI, NISHINO YUKIO, MIYAZAKI, BENICHI, MURAI, JUNICHI, NISHINO, YUKIO
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B17, G11B23