Abstract:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a disk apparatus having a function of externally the forcible unloading manipulation of an optical disk, and for enabling the forcible unloading manipulation only on the basis of clear recognition that a user intentionally performed the unloading of the optical disk, the disk apparatus enforcing such recognition. In the disk apparatus for loading and driving an optical disk, and for recording or reproduction of data on the optical disk, the disk apparatus comprises first release means and second release means for a mechanism for unloading a loaded optical disk to be manipulated externally, wherein manipulation of the second release means forcibly unloads the loaded optical disk by manipulation of the first release means.

Description:
This application claims priority to a Japanese patent application No. 2003-099481 filed Apr. 2, 2003. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a disk apparatus for driving optical disks (for example, a CD-R/RW, a DVD-R/-RW/RAM/+R/+RW, etc.), which are recording media for recording a large amount of data used in various computer systems. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In general, in order to record data on optical disks or to reproduce data from the optical disks, disk apparatuses for driving the optical disks are indispensable for personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as PCs), so that the disk apparatuses should be built into the main bodies of PCs or externally connected to the PCs through cables. 
     FIG. 13  shows an appearance of a notebook PC having a built-in disk apparatus. Here, a disk apparatus  101  is usually built into a side portion of the main body of a PC, a bezel  103  of a disk tray  102  is popped out by means of manipulation of a switch or instructions from the main body of the PC, and the user of the PC ejects the disk tray  102  to load an optical disk D therein. 
     FIG. 14  shows an appearance of the conventional disk apparatus  101 , and  FIG. 15  shows an internal configuration of the disk tray  102  of the disk apparatus  101 . Here, the disk tray  102  has a plate shape for receiving the optical disk D, and the center thereof is provided with a turntable  105  fixed to a driving shaft of a spindle motor  104  provided immediately therebelow. A central hole of the optical disk is clamped by a clamp head  106  of the turntable  105 , thereby transferring turning force to the optical disk. 
   Reference numeral  107  denotes a head unit. Here, the entire head unit is reciprocated in a diametrical direction of the disk tray  102  by means of a driving mechanism  108  provided at the other surface of the disk tray  102 , and a laser beam is applied from an objective lens  107   a  to the optical disk. In addition, the front end of the disk tray  102  is provided with a bezel  103  for decorating the external appearance thereof. The external surface of the bezel  103  is provided with an indicator window  110  and a push-button  109  for releasing a loaded state of the disk tray  102 , and a through hole  103   a  for inserting an emergency pin P is formed on the surface of the bezel  103  in order to forcibly release the locked state of the disk tray  102 . 
   On both sides of the disk tray  102  thus constructed are loosely fitted by guide rails  111 , and the guide rails  111  are slidably supported by support rails fixed to a chassis case  112 . Accordingly, the disk tray  102  is moved forwardly and backwardly in the chassis case  112 , thereby enabling the loading and the unloading of the optical disk. 
   Further, an ejection and lock mechanism  113  is provided, which keeps the disk tray  102 , that is, locks the disk tray, in a state in which the disk tray  102  is loaded and stopped at a prescribed position in the chassis case  112 , and which releases the locked state, that is, ejects the disk tray  102 . The disk tray  102  is locked by means of the ejection and lock mechanism  113 , using engaging a lock lever  114  with a lock pin  115  fixed to the chassis case  112 , while the locked state is released, that is, the disk tray  102  is ejected in a normal operation by means of the driving of a self-holding solenoid  116  (for example, see Patent Document 1). 
   [Patent Document 1] 
   Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-97076 
   In a case where the disk apparatus  101  thus constructed is built into the main body of the PC, in order to unload the disk tray  102 , the ejection and lock mechanism  113  works, as described above, by means of instructions from the PC or manipulation of the push-button  109  by a user, thereby releasing the locked state, that is, ejecting the disk tray  102 . 
   On the other hand, in a rare, disordered state, the PC may not recognize the optical disk when the optical disk is loaded into the disk apparatus. In this situation, the disk tray cannot be unloaded even by means of manipulation of the push-button by a user, so that the optical disk loaded into the disk tray cannot be recovered. Since this disadvantage may also occur due to a disorder of a mechanical system of the disk tray, measures for coping with such emergencies are taken. 
   According to such measures, the locked state of the disk tray may be forcibly released externally, as described above. That is, the engagement of lock lever  114  with the lock pin  115  is released, as shown in  FIG. 15 , by inserting the emergency pin P into the through hole  103   a  formed in the bezel  103 , thus moving the lock lever  114  inversely. 
   A function for avoiding an abnormal state by means of the external forcible manipulation is necessary for such a disk apparatus. However, in coping with the emergency thus, if recorded data is being reproduced during the driving of the optical disk, the recorded data is not destroyed. However, when data is being recorded onto the optical disk, the recording may not be completed, or the recorded data may be destroyed. 
   Since the ejection and lock mechanism constructed as described above works even in cases of careless manipulation of the pin, the ejection and lock mechanism always has the danger described above. Further, since the ejection and lock mechanism may be manipulated, for example, by accident or carelessness by a user, it is required that such danger be avoided in advance. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disk apparatus having a function of the external, forcible unloading manipulation of an optical disk, and of enabling the forcible unloading manipulation only on the basis of clear recognition that a user intends to perform the unloading of the optical disk, and a disk apparatus capable of enforcing such recognition. 
   Therefore, in order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides the following means. That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk apparatus for loading and driving an optical disk, and for recording or reproduction of data on the optical disk, wherein the disk apparatus comprising first release means and second release means for externally manipulating a mechanism for unloading a loaded optical disk, wherein manipulation of the second release means for forcibly unloading a loaded optical disk by manipulation of the first release means. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the driving of a spindle motor for rotating the optical disk is stopped by the manipulation of the first release means. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot-in type disk apparatus for loading and driving an optical disk, and for recording or reproduction of data on the optical disk, wherein the disk apparatus comprising: a loading gear unit for loading and unloading the optical disk; a rack gear unit for interlocking with the loading gear unit; first release means for loading gear unit being manipulatable externally; and second release means for rack gear unit being manipulatable externally, wherein a manipulation-protected state of the rack gear unit is released by manipulation of the loading gear unit. 
   According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the rack gear unit switches to a floating state to enable the unloading manipulation of the optical disk by the manipulation of the loading gear unit. 
   According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk apparatus for loading and driving an optical disk, and for recording or reproduction of data on the optical disk, wherein the disk apparatus comprising: first release means and second release means for externally manipulating through an emergency through hole provided in an apparatus casing; and an emergency unloading mechanism for stopping driving of a spindle motor for rotating the optical disk by manipulation of the first release means, and for unloading forcibly a loaded optical disk by manipulation of the second release means. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a disk apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating an inner configuration of the disk apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an inner configuration of the disk apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an inner configuration on the bottom surface of the disk apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an operational state of the disk apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a loading gear unit; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an operational state of the loading gear unit; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a rack gear unit; 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating emergency manipulation; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating emergency manipulation; 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating emergency manipulation; 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating another example of an operating mechanism of the rack gear unit; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a notebook PC; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a conventional disk apparatus; and 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an inner configuration on the bottom surface of the conventional disk apparatus. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Now, preferred embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a slot-in type disk apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a disk apparatus  1  according to the present invention, where a bezel  3  is fixed to an opening portion at the front end of a chassis case  2  formed in a sealed state. A slot  3   a  into which an optical disk D is inserted, and through holes  3   b  and  3   c  for emergency release are formed in the bezel  3 . Further, the bezel  3  comprises a push-button  4  for instructing the external unloading of the received optical disk D and an indicator  5  for displaying the operational condition of the disk apparatus  1 . 
     FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a state in which the top portion of the disk apparatus  1  is removed, and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the state. In the figures, a base panel  6  is provided in the chassis case  2 , and a driving system unit A for the optical disk D is provided in a direction inclined from the center of the base panel  6 . In this driving system unit A, in order to clamp a central hole of the optical disk D, or to release the clamped state of the central hole when the optical disk D is loaded into or unloaded from the chassis case  2 , a frame member  8 , capable of being moved up and down, is connected to the base panel  6  through a plurality of buffing support structures  9 . 
   At the front end of the frame member  8 , a clamp head  7  is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the optical disk that is loaded and stopped. The clamp head  7  is integrally constructed with a turntable  10 , and fixed to a driving shaft of a spindle motor  11  provided immediately below the turntable  10 , so that the optical disk D clamped by the clamp head  7  is rotationally driven by means of the spindle motor  11 . 
   Next, reference numeral B denotes a head unit, which is fixed to a carrier block  13  for reciprocating an optical pickup device  12  in a diametrical direction of the optical disk D. The carrier block  13  is supported by both guide shafts  14  and  15  and is reciprocated by means of a sled motor  16  and a gear unit (not shown). 
   Reference numeral  17  denotes an ejecting lever for ejecting the optical disk D externally from the chassis case  2 , and reference numeral  18  denotes a guide lever for guiding the entering optical disk D into the chassis case  2 . The front ends  17   a  and  18   a  of the ejecting lever  17  and the guide lever  18  are differentially moved by means of a link mechanism  19  shown in  FIG. 4 , so that the optical disk D is automatically guided into the chassis case  2 . 
   That is, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the optical disk D is inserted through the slot  3   a  of the bezel  3 , the front end of the optical disk D first comes into contact with the front end  17   a  of the ejecting lever  17 . Then, when the optical disk D is inserted, the front end  17   a  of the ejecting lever  17  moves backwardly. At the same time, a limit switch  20  shown in  FIG. 4  works, and, on the basis of a signal of the limit switch, a carrying mechanism C of the optical disk D begins driving. 
   In this state, the guide lever  18  is moved by means of operation of the carrying mechanism C, and thus the front end  18   a  thereof comes into contact with the rear end of the optical disk D, so that the optical disk D is guided into the chassis case  2 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the optical disk stops at a position where the central hole of the optical disk D matches with the clamp head  7 , and the central hole of the optical disk D is clamped by the clamp head  7  by means of the up and down movement of the clamp head  7 . 
   On the other hand, when the optical disk D guided into the chassis case  2  thus is ejected outwardly, the carrying mechanism C is driven in a driving direction opposite to the inserting direction of the optical disk in accordance with manipulation of the push-button  4  of the bezel  3  or instructions from the PC. Accordingly, the ejecting lever  17  is moved to carry the optical disk D from the front end  17   a  of the ejecting lever  17  to a position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Next, the configuration of the carrying mechanism C for inserting and ejecting the optical disk D through the aforementioned automatic manipulation will be described. The carrying mechanism C is largely constructed by means of a combination of a loading gear unit G 1  and a rack gear unit G 2 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  are diagrams illustrating configurations and operational aspects of the loading gear unit G 1 . In the figures, reference numeral  21  denotes a loading motor that is a power source for the automatic manipulation, and a worm gear  22  is fixed to an output shaft of the loading gear  21  to be rotated coaxially with the loading motor. The rotary power of the worm gear  22  is transferred sequentially to double gears  23 ,  24  and  25  axially supported by the gear base  26 , that is, from a small-diameter gear to a large-diameter gear, with a decrease in speed. 
   In this gear construction, the double gear  23  has a release mechanism for releasing engagement with the worm gear  22 . A pivotal support pin  28  is inserted into an end portion  27   a  of a holder  27  for holding the double gear  23  and sliding up and down, and the end portion  27   a  is biased downwardly and supported axially by means of a compression coil spring  29 , whereby in a normal state, as shown in  FIG. 6(C) , the worm gear  22  and the double gear  23  engage normally with each other. Furthermore, a dog head  27   b  is formed at the other end portion of the holder  27  on the loading motor  21  side, so that a knob  30   a  of the limit switch  30  fixed to the gear base  26  can be operated. 
   A lower surface of the end portion  27   a  of the holder  27  is provided with a slider member  31  supported coaxially with the pivotal support pin  28 . A longitudinal groove  31   a  is formed at a portion of the slider member  31  axially supported by the pivotal support pin  28 , so that the slider member  31  can slide in a direction perpendicular to the end portion  27   a  of the holder  27 . A slant surface  31   b  is formed between the front end and the rear end of the slider member  31 . Therefore, when the slider member  31  is moved forwardly, the slant surface  31   b  pushes the end portion  27   a  of the holder  27  from the bottom surface, thereby raising the entire holder  27 . 
   A longitudinal groove  31   d  having an engaging step portion  31   c  to be axially supported by the pivotal support pin  32  is formed at the rear end of the slider member  31 , and an operational piece  31   f  having a closing projection  31   e  is also formed at the rear end. On the other hand, a reset piece  31   g  to be started on the basis of movement of the rack gear unit G 2  is formed at the front end portion of the slider member  31 . 
   A tension coil spring  33  is provided with a tilt angle between a hook piece  31   h  of the slider member  31  constructed thus integrally and a hook piece  26   a  of the gear base  26 , so that the slider member  31  is biased to be moved backwardly and be rotated counterclockwise. 
   Since the slider member  31  is formed as described above, the slider member  31  uses the pivotal support pin  28  as a supporting point in a normal state shown in  FIG. 6 . In this state, when the slide member  31  is pushed and advanced from its rear end portion and the engaging step portion  31   c  of the longitudinal groove  31   d  reaches the position of the pivotal support pin  32 , the slider member  31  is rotated about the pivotal support pin  28  by means of the tension of the tension coil spring  33 , the engaging step portion  31   c  engages with the pivotal support pin  32  as shown in  FIG. 7  and is in a locked state, and the locked state is kept. 
   Next, in the rack gear unit G 2 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , gear trains  34   a  and  34   b  are integrally formed in a rack main body  34 , and the gear train  34   a  engages with the small-diameter gear of the double gear  25  in the loading gear unit G 1 . As a result, the rack main body  34  is moved forwardly and backwardly in the chassis case  2  by means of the driving of the loading motor  21 . Thus, by moving forwardly and backwardly the rack main body  34 , the link mechanism  19  connected to the front end of the rack main body  34  is driven, so that the ejecting lever  17  is moved. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the guide lever  18  is moved by means of a lever member  35  connected to the rack main body  34  on a surface of the base panel  6 . When the link mechanism  19  is driven, the frame member  8  is moved up and down in synchronism with the driving of the link mechanism, so that the clamp head  7  clamps the optical disk or releases the clamped optical disk. 
   On the rack main body  34  thus constructed, the gear member  36 , which is moved forwardly and backwardly at the front end of the rack main body, is arranged in a floating state, and a push-pin  37  having blocks  37   a  and  37   b  in the front and the rear thereof to push and advance the gear member  36  is arranged. The gear train  34   b  and the gear member  36  are coupled to each other to engage with a double gear  38  rotatably provided on a gear frame  39 . In this case, the large-diameter gear  38   a  of the double gear  38  engages with the rear end of the gear train  34   b , and the small-diameter gear  38   b  engages with the front end of the gear member  36  integrally formed together with the block  37   b.    
   As a result, since the double gear  38  is rotated at a prescribed position when the gear member  36  is advanced by means of external force through the push-pin  37 , the rotary power of the large-diameter gear  38   a  is transferred to the gear train  34   b , so that the rack main body  34  is moved backwardly. Reference numeral  40  denotes an operational piece for pushing the reset piece  31   g  formed at the front end portion of the slider member  31  of the aforementioned loading gear unit G 1 . In a case where the loading gear unit G 1  is in the state shown in  FIG. 7 , when the operational piece  40  pushes the reset piece  31   g  of the slider member  31 , the engagement of the pivotal support pin  32  and the engaging step portion  31   c  is released, so that it returns to the state shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   The important portions of the present invention are constructed as described above, and in this construction, a procedure for use when the optical disk D is forcibly ejected will be now described. The ejection of the optical disk D is carried out, as described above, by moving the ejecting lever  17 . However, since the ejecting lever  17  is moved by means of the backward movement of the rack main body  34 , the ejection of the optical disk can be carried out only in a state where the emergency pin P is inserted through the through hole  3   c  of the bezel  3 . 
   When the slider member  31  of the loading gear unit G 1  is in the normal state position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the closing projection  31   e  closes the through hole  3   c , so that the manipulation is protected. As a result, since the rack main body  34  cannot be manipulated in the above state, the optical disk D cannot be unloaded even if the emergency pin P is inserted, regardless of recognition of a user who wants to unload the optical disk D. 
   On the other hand, in a case of manipulation on the basis of a clear recognition of unloading the optical disk D, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the emergency pin P is inserted into the through hole  3   b  of the bezel  3 , so that the loading gear unit G 1  pushes the slider member  31 . As a result, the slider member  31  is slanted aside, and thus the closed state of the through hole  3   c  by the closing projection  31   e  is released. At this time, since the slant surface  31   b  of the slider member  31  pushes the end portion  27   a  of the holder  27  from the bottom surface, the engagement of the worm gear  22  and the double gear  23  is released, so that the double gears  23 ,  24  and  25  can be rotated freely. At this time, when the spindle motor  11  drives and rotates the optical disk, the dog head  27   b  of the holder  27  stops the spindle motor  11  by driving the knob  30   a  to turn on the limit switch  30 . 
   After the manipulation through the through hole  3   b  is completed thus, the emergency pin P pulled out from the through hole  3   b  is inserted into the through hole  3   c , and then pushed, whereby the rack main body  34  is moved backwardly with advancement of the gear member  36 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . As a result, the ejecting lever  17  is moved, so that the optical disk D can be unloaded as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 4 . 
     FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating another example of an operational mechanism for the rack gear unit G 2 . Here, when the front end of the push-pin  37  is connected to a link arm  41   a  of the link mechanism  41  and the link arm  41   a  is pushed and rotated about a support axis  42 , a link arm  41   b  is moved counterclockwise about a support axis  43 . As a result, the front end of the link arm  41   b  pushes an end portion of the rack main body  34 , and thus the rack main body  34  is moved forwardly, so that the same function as described above can be accomplished. 
   As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the first release means and the second release means are provided, it is possible to give a clear recognition to a user in unloading the optical disk. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous manipulation due to arbitrary or vague recognition. Further, a system capable of enforcing a clear recognition of unloading the optical disk by a user can be implemented, so that it is possible to improve safety in recording data, etc. 
   According to the second aspect of the present invention, since rotation of the optical disk is stopped, and then the optical disk is unloaded by means of the manipulation of the first release means, it is possible to prevent damage on the optical disk. 
   According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, since the loading gear unit and the rack gear unit for loading and unloading the optical disk constitute the first release means and the second release means, the number of mechanism elements can be kept to a minimum, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. 
   According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the rotation of the optical disk is stopped, and then the optical disk is forcibly unloaded from the case, it is possible to safely and accurately unload the optical disk from the case by means of stepwise manipulation.