Disc changer for a disc player

Abstract: A disc storage (300) is provided for storing a plurality of trays (301), each for holding a disc. The trays (301) are stacked in the disc storage (300). A movable member (400) is provided to be moved in the vertical direction (Z). A disc player (200) and a tray moving device (410) are mounted on the movable member (400). The tray moving device (410) is provided to be engaged with trays (301) for moving the trays (301) and for forming spaces between trays (301) for receiving the disc player (200). A driving device (5, 6) is provided for vertically moving the movable member (410).

Description: The present invention relates to a disc changer according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a disc changer is known from EP-A-0 519 069 where discs are stored one by one in a plurality of storage cases. A supporting mechanism for supporting the storage cases movably in the right and left directions is provided in front of a body case. A disc selecting unit having a fixing mechanism for fixing a selected one of the storage cases and select levers for moving the storage cases other than the selected one of them in the right and left directions, is provided behind the body case and can be moved in the right and left directions. Moreover, a player moving unit for moving the disc player forward and backward, right and left in a vertical state and reversely rotating it, is provided behind the body case. A disc returning mechanism for returning a disc storage case to the initial position is provided above the disc supporting mechanism. In the conventional device according to EP-A-0 519 069, the right and left storage cases are moved away from a selected storage case by the disc selecting unit and are moved in the right and left directions, respectively. This movement is carried out by two selecting levers which are rotated in opposite directions. In this manner, a space for inserting the disc player is formed on both sides of the selected storage case. In operation of the conventional device, a complicated movement of the disc player is required which performs a sliding operation both in X direction and in Y direction using a sliding mechanism and various gearing and belting devices, as well as a rotating operation. The object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved disc changer which is compact in size and comparatively simple in construction and function. A further object of the present invention is to provide a disc changer in which the disc player and a disc separating device can be accurately positioned at a desired disc. According to the invention, the disc changer comprises the features of claim 1. Further developments of the disc changer according to the invention are specified in the subclaims. According to the invention, the object is solved in an advantageous manner. A movable operating member is provided which is adapted to be relatively moved with the plurality of trays, wherein a tray moving member is mounted directly on this operating member. The tray moving member carries out a simple movement in one direction, and thereby provides a first space and a second space on opposite sides of the selected tray in a simple manner. Thereupon, the second driving means can readily move a part of a disc player into the second space in order to get access to the selected tray comprising a disc. These and other objects and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disc changer according to the present invention; Figs. 2a, 2b and 3 are plan views of a part of the disc changer; Fig. 4 is a side view of a tray stack; Fig. 5 is a front view of the disc changer; Fig. 6 is a side view of a driving roller; Fig. 7a is a plan view showing a disc player; Fig. 7b is a plan view showing a cramper; Fig. 8 is a side view showing a turntable; Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the operation of the disc player; Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a chassis; Fig. 11 is a side view showing a slide plate; Fig. 12 is a side view showing a disc separating member; and Figs. 13 to 19 are side views showing the operation of the disc changer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figs. 1, 2a and 2b showing the disc changer according to the present invention, main composition of the device comprises a disc carrier 100 having a pair of driving rollers 101, a disc player 200 having a turntable 201, cramper 202, pickup 203, a disc storage 300 having six trays 301 (Fig. 2) for arranging discs in the Z-direction and a tray moving mechanism having a movable plate 400 for moving the tray 301. These portions are provided in a chassis 1. The disc carrier 100 is provided for carrying a disc inserted from an opening by a user to the disc storage 300, and for discharging the disc in the storage 300. The driving rollers 101 are provided to contact with the underside of the inserted disc and to carry it in the X-direction. Referring to Fig. 3, the tray 301 has a disc supporting plate 301a having a V-shaped notch 301b and a pair of notches 301c. In the notch 301b, the turntable 201, cramper 202 and pickup 203 are inserted. Furthermore, the tray 301 has a pair of holes 301d in which guide shafts 2 are inserted, a pair of disc holding members 301e, four projections 301f. As shown in Fig. 4, the shaft 2 is inserted in the holes 301d of six trays 301 and a hole of a regulating plate 302 on the stack of trays, thereby arranging the trays in the Z-direction. The regulating plate 302 is urged by springs 303 provided inside wall of the chassis 1 so that regulating plate 302 is prevented from upwardly moving. The regulating plate 302 has a vertical member 302a to hold the trays, thereby preventing the trays from moving in the Y-direction. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 showing the disc carrier 100, a worm wheel 101a is formed on a side of each driving roller 101. The driving roller 101 is rotatably mounted on an upright plate 103a of a supporting plate 103. A disc path regulating plate 106 is provided above the driving roller 101 and rotatably supported by a shaft 103b. Between the plate 106 and the driving roller 101, a disc carrying path 102 is formed. A coil spring 107 is provided between the regulating plate 106 and the supporting plate 103 to urge the plate 106 toward the driving roller 101. A pair of rotatable shaft 105 are rotatably mounted on shafts 104. An upper portion of the rotatable shaft 105 is supported by the supporting plate 103 and a worm 105 is formed on an upper most portion of the rotatable shaft. The worm 105 is engaged with the worm wheel 101a of the driving roller 101. Apulley 105a is formed on one of the rotatable shaft 105, which pulley 105a engages with a belt 109 of a motor 108 (Fig. 2); Both rotatable shafts 105 have pulleys and are connected by a belt (not shown). Thus, both the shafts 105 are rotated by the motor 108 through the belts. Each supporting plate 103 has a downwardly projecting projection 103c, passing through a hole formed in a movable plate 400. A movable member 110 is slidably mounted on the chassis 1 and engaged with the projection 103c. Therefore, when the movable member 110 moves in the X-direction, each of the plates 103 is rotated about the shaft 104 to rotate the driving roller 101 about the shaft 104. Due to the above described construction, the driving rollers 101 are moved between a disc carrying position and a retracted position. Fig. 2a shows the driving roller 101 at the disc carrying position, and Fig. 2b shows the one at the retracted position. When the driving rollers 101 are located at the disc carrying position, the rollers are inserted in the notches 301c as shown in Fig. 2a. At the positions, rollers are positioned in the Y-direction, where the rollers are parallel with the roller insertion opening and located on the disc mounted on the disc supporting plate 301a. The driving rollers 101 at the retracted position are positioned outside the notches 301c as shown in Fig. 2b. Figs 7a to 9 show the disc player 200 and the disc moving mechanism. On a base 200a of the disc player 200, there is provided the turntable 201, pickup 203, and pickup moving mechanism 204. The base 200a is rotatably supported by a shaft 401 on the movable plate 400. A cramper base 205 is rotatably supported by a shaft 200b on the base 200a and holds the cramper 202 at an end portion. A restriction portion 205a is formed on the cramper base 205. The cramper base 205 is urged to the base 200a by a spring 206 mounted on the shaft 200b. On the base 200a, a cramp operation member 207 is provided. There is provided a pair of elongated holes 207a, an elongated hole 207b perpendicular with the holes 207a, and a roller 207c. In each hole 207a, engaged is a pin 200c projected from the base 200a, so that the member 207 is movable in the axis direction of a shaft 200b on the base 200a. The movable plate 400 has an arcuated hole 402 in which a movable pin 3 is inserted. The pin 3 is further engaged with the elongated hole 207b. The pin 3 is moved in the arcuated hole 402 by a driving mechanism (not shown). The movement of the pin 3 causes the movement of the disc player between the reproduction position and the retracted position and the disc cramping operation. In Fig. 7a, the disc player 200 is at the retracted position, where the restriction portion 205a of the cramper base 205 is mounted on the roller 207c of the cramp operating member 207, thereby releasing the cramper 202 from the turntable 201. When the pin 3 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow, the operating member 207 and base 200a are rotated about the shaft 401 in the clockwise direction. Thus, the disc player 200 is rotated to the reproduction position shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 9. Immediately before the reaching of the pin to the end of the arcuated hole 402, namely, immediately before the time when the disc player reaches the reproduction position, the driving direction of the pin 3 becomes parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elongated holes 207a of the operating member 207. Therefore, only the operating member 207 is moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the base 200a, so that the restriction portion 205a of the base 205 removes from the roller 207c. As a result, the cramper 202 is pressed against the turntable 201 by the coil spring 206. As described above, the disc cramp operation is carried out with the movement of the disc player 200 from the retracted position to the reproduction position, and the cramping is done at the same time as the positioning of the disc player 200 to the reproducing position. The cramp is released when the disc player moves from the reproduction position to the retracted position. Referring to Fig. 10, an arm 4 is rotatably supported by a shaft 4a at the underside of the chassis 1. The arm is adapted to be pivoted by a motor (not shown). As shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11, a pair of vertical guide plates 1a are formed on both sides of the chassis 1, in the Z-direction. Slide plates 5 and 6 are slidably attached on the guide plates 1a. The slide plates 5 and 6 have projections 5a, 6a at the lower ends thereof, which projections are pivotally connected to both ends of the arm 4. Therefore, when the arm 4 is pivoted, the slide plates are moved in the opposite directions. As shown in Fig. 11, the slide plate 6 has a pair of holes 6b in the X-direction, each of the holes 6b slidably engages with a pin 1c on the guide plate 1a. The slide plate 5 has also the same holes as 6b. Each guide plate 1a has a vertical guide hole 1b in which slidably engaged is a pin 400c provided on a vertical plate 400b of the movable plate 400. Furthermore, the pin 400c is slidably engaged with a stepwisely inclined heaving hole 6c formed in the slide plate 6. The slide plate 5 has also heaving hole inclined in the reverse direction to the hole 6c. Thus, four pins 400c engage with the heaving holes and are moved in the Z-direction when the slide plates 5 and 6 moves in the X-direction, which causes the movable plate 400 to vertically move. The heaving hole has six steps which corresponds to the six trays. Fig. 12 shows one of four tray moving members 410 which are pivotally mounted on the vertical plate 400b at a shaft 410a. A projection 410b is slidably engaged with an arcuated groove 400d formed in the vertical plate 400b. The tray moving member 410 has an L-shaped hole 410c in which a projection 301f (Fig. 3) of the tray 301. There is formed four cams 410d, 410e, 410f and 410g which are engaged with the projections 301f. The operation of the device will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 13 through 19. Figs. 13 through 17 show the operation for mounting a disc inserted from the opening on the tray 301 of the disc storage 300. The operation is described about the mounting of the inserted disc on the second tray from the lower most tray. Fig. 13 shows a waiting state. In the state, all trays are stacked up. The pin 400c is mounted on the lower most step of the inclined hole 6c, and the movable plate 400 is positioned at the lower most position. The tray moving member 410 is retracted from the tray 301 so that the tray moving member does not strike the tray when the movable plate 400 moves. When the user inserts a disc in the opening, the slide member 6 is moved to the left and the slide member 5 is moved to the right by the arm 4 to raise the movable plate 400. When the pin 400c reaches the second step as shown in Fig. 14, the slide member 6 (the description about the slide member will be omitted hereinafter) stops to stop the movable plate 400. At the position, the tray moving member 410 holds the second tray 301, engaging with the underside of the tray. More particularly, the tray moving member 410 is rotated in the clockwise direction, so that the cam 410d raises the projection 301f of the third tray, thereby lifting the third through sixth trays. On the other hand, the projection 301f of the second tray mounts on the cam 410e and enters the hole 410c. Thus, the second tray is held by the tray moving member 410. Next, the slide member 6 is moved to the left to lift the movable plate 400. Therefore, the third to sixth trays are raised by the cam 410d, and the second tray is raised by the cam 410e, leaving the first tray. As shown in Fig. 15, when the pin 400c reaches the upper most step, the slide member 6 stops. The second tray held by the tray moving member 410 is placed at a position corresponding to the upper most tray position before the lifting shown in Fig. 13. This position corresponds to the position of the driving roller 101 of the disc carrier 100 (Fig. 5), where the insertion and discharge of the disc are performed at the height. As shown in Fig. 16, the tray moving member 410 is slightly rotated in the clockwise direction, so that the third through sixth trays are raised by the cam 410d although the second tray is not raised. Thus, there is formed a space above the second tray, in which space the driving roller 101 can be inserted. Therefore, the driving roller 101 is moved from the retracted position (Fig. 2b) to the disc carrying position (Fig. 2a). Thereafter, the driving roller 101 is driven so that the disc inserted by the user is carried. When the disc reaches the second tray, the driving roller 101 is stopped. Next, as shown in Fig. 17, the driving roller 101 is moved from the disc carrying position to the retracted position. At that time, the driving roller moves while rotated in the disc feeding direction. Therefore, the disc is not moved to the retracted position. When the driving roller reaches to the retracted position, the disc is released from the roller, so that disc falls on a holding surface 301a (Fig. 2b) of the second tray. Thereafter, the slide member 6 is moved to lower the movable plate 400. When the pin 400c reaches the second step, the slide member 6 is stopped. Therefore, the plate 400 is positioned at the position shown in Fig. 14. Furthermore, the tray moving member 410 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction so that cams 410d and 410e are released from the projections 301f of the trays. Next, the slide member 6 is further moved. When the pin 400c reaches the lower most step, the slide member is stopped. Thus, the operation for carrying the disc to the tray finishes. The operation for discharging disc is the same as the above described operation except the rotating of the driving roller 101 in the disc discharge direction. The operation for reproducing the disc held on the tray will be described hereinafter. In the waiting state shown in Fig. 13, when the reproduction of the disc held on the second disc is instructed, the movable plate 400 is raised so that the tray moving member 410 and the disc player 200 are positioned at the second tray. Next, a space for inserting the disc player 200 is formed between the second tray and the third tray, by the rotation of the tray moving member 410 in the clockwise direction, which operation is the same manner as above description as shown in Fig. 14. Thereafter, the tray moving member 410 is further rotated in the clockwise direction, so that the third to sixth trays are moreover raised from the position of Fig. 14. At the same time, the second tray is raised by the cam 410f. On the other hand, the first tray is pressed by the outside of the cam 410e, thereby prevented from moving. Thus, as shown in Fig. 18, a large space is formed under the second tray, so that the player 200 can be inserted. The projection 301f of the second tray is deeply inserted in the hole 410c to he held by the tray moving member 410. Next, the disc player 200 is moved from retracted position to the reproduction position in the above described spaces by the player moving mechanism as shown in Fig. 9. At that time, the cramper 202 and the turntable 201 are separated from each other as shown in Fig. 18. When the player 200 is positioned at the reproduction position, the cramper 202 is lowered to cramp the disc on the turntable 201. At the same time, the tray moving member 410 is slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction to lower the second tray. Therefore, the disc on the second tray is cramped by the cramper and the turntable as shown in Fig. 19. In accordance with the present invention, the disc separating member for forming a space between the disc and the disc player to be inserted in the space are moved together. Therefore, the height of the disc changer can be reduced compared with the device in which the whole of the disc storage is moved. Furthermore, since the disc separating member and the disc player are integrally provided, both the devices can be accurately positioned at a desired disc. While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention.

Claims: A disc changer, comprising: a disc storage unit (300); a plurality of trays (301), each for holding a disc, arranged in a disc arranging direction (Z) in the disc storage unit (300) and slidably held in the disc storage unit (300); a movable operating member (400) provided to be relatively moved with respect to the plurality of trays (301) in the disc arranging direction (Z); characterized by first driving means (5, 6) for relatively moving the movable operating member (400) with the plurality of trays (301); a tray moving member (410) mounted on the operating member (400) wherein the tray moving member (410) is adapted to move in one direction in order to move a selected one (301) of the plurality of trays (301) and the trays situated on a side of the selected one (301) in the disc arranging direction (Z) forming thereby a first space and a second space on opposite sides of the selected one (301) of the plurality of trays (301); and second driving means (3, 207) for moving a part of a disc player (200) into the second space. The disc changer according to claim 1, wherein the disc arranging direction is a vertical direction (Z), and the trays (301) are stacked. The disc changer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tray moving member (410) is rotatably mounted on the movable member (400) and has a plurality of cams (410d, 410e, 410f, 410g) to be engaged (301f) with trays (301) for raising the trays (301) and for forming spaces between trays (301). The disc changer according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first driving means (5, 6) comprise a pair of slide plates (5, 6), wherein each slide plate (5, 6) has at least one inclined hole (6c) having a plurality of steps corresponding to the number of the trays (301), a pin (400c) secured to the movable member (400) and engaged with the inclined hole (6c), and means (la) for sliding the slide plates (5, 6). The disc changer according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the disc player (200) is pivotally mounted on the movable member (400), and the second driving means (3, 207) are provided for rotating the disc player (200).

Inventors: IDO KENJIRO, KIMURA TOMOMICHI, MIZOGUCHI TAKASHI, SUZUKI TORU, UCHIYAMA KENJI, YOSHIDA SUSUMU, IDO, KENJIRO, KIMURA, TOMOMICHI, MIZOGUCHI, TAKASHI, SUZUKI, TORU, UCHIYAMA, KENJI, YOSHIDA, SUSUMU, Ido, Kenjiro c/o Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Kimura, Tomomichi c/o Pioneer Electronic Corp., Mizoguchi, Takashi c/o Pioneer Electronic Corp., Suzuki, Toru c/o Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Uchiyama, Kenji c/o Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Yoshida, Susumu c/o Pioneer Electronic Corporation
Applicants: PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORP, PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G11B17
IPC codes: G11B17