Abstract:
An optical disc drive includes a housing, a positioning part fixed on the housing, and a tray module. The tray module includes a tray installed inside the housing with the ability to slide, a solenoid fixed on the tray for providing magnetic force, a latch installed beside the solenoid moving in response to changes in magnetic force, a push pod fixed on the tray in a rotatable manner with one end connected to the latch and the other end forming a space, a hook rotatably fixed on the tray with one end for engaging the positioning part and the other end connected to the push pod, a first elastic body fixed on the pivot of the push pod, and a second elastic body installed in a track of the housing. One end of the second elastic body is fixed in the space of the push pod.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/707,584, filed Dec. 22, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an optical disc drive, and more specifically, to an optical disc drive which fixes the tray module within its housing.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     In general, the tray-in and tray-out modules of the tray module in a thin optical disc drive are operated by a dc motor or suction solenoid. Usually, the method used by the dc motor collocates the gear module with either the light sensor or the limitation switch. The dc motor mechanism is quite complete, so the cost cannot be reduced.  
         [0006]     In the method used by a suction solenoid, the volume of the suction solenoid mechanism is quite large. A consequence of the large size is that a suction solenoid mechanism may not be employed in an optical disc drive due to limited space in the optical disc drive unless drastic changes are made to the appearance of the product. Additionally, when the suction solenoid is not supplied with the power, the elasticity of the spring on the solenoid does not easily hold the tray-in module in a stable position. The following describes an optical disc drive that uses a suction solenoid.  
         [0007]     Please refer  FIG. 1 - FIG. 5 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the tray module  14  of the optical disc drive  10  that is in the tray-in location  FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the tray module  14  of the optical disc drive  10  that is in the completely tray-out location.  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the tray-out module  15  of the optical disc drive  10  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a location diagram of each component when the tray module  14  of the optical disc drive  10  in  FIG. 1  is in the tray-in location.  FIG. 5  is a location diagram of the tray-in module  21  of optical disc drive  10  in  FIG. 1  that is in the tray-out location.  
         [0008]     The optical disc drive  10  comprises a housing  12 , a tray module  14  comprising a tray  16 , a tray-out module  15  set on the tray  16  for pushing the tray module  14  out of the housing  12  with respect to the bottom of the housing  12 , and a tray-in module set  21  on the tray  16  for locking the tray module  14  within the housing. The tray-out module  15  comprises a pusher  18  movably set on the tray  16 , an extension spring  20  with one end fixed on the tray  16  and the other end fixed on the pusher  18 . The tray-in module  21  comprises a solenoid  22  fixed on the tray  16 , a shaft  24  fixed on the front end of the solenoid  22 , a solenoid spring  26  set on the shaft  24 , a hook  28  set on the front end via the shaft  24 , and a positioning point  29  set on the tray  16 .  
         [0009]     Please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . When the tray module  14  of the optical disc drive  10  is in the tray-in location, the extension spring  20  is compressed according to how far tray  16  is within the housing  12 . During that time, the extension spring is capable of pushing the tray module  14  out of the housing  12 . When the solenoid  22  is not supplied with power, the solenoid spring  26  pushes the hook  28  to lock onto the positioning point  29  thereby preventing the pusher  18  from pushing the tray module  14  out of the housing  12 .  
         [0010]     Please refer to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 5 . The tray-out process is operated via the key  27  on the panel of the optical disc drive  10 . When the key  27  is pressed, the optical disc drive  10  sends a control signal to a CPU to notify the CPU; then the CPU sends another control signal to supply the solenoid  22  with power. When the solenoid is supplied with power, the solenoid  22  generates a difference in magnetic force to attract the shaft  24 . The magnetic force of solenoid  22  is larger than the thrust of the solenoid spring  26 , so the hook  28  will depart from the positioning point  29 . When the hook  28  departs from the positioning point  29 , the pusher  18  pushes the tray module  14  out of the housing  12  15-25 mm.  
         [0011]     However, when the suction solenoid as shown in  FIG. 1  is not supplied with power, the pushing force from the solenoid spring  26  is not enough to hold the tray-in module. The hook  28  and the positioning point  29  may be separated by an external force, causing the tray module  14  to come out of the housing  12 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is therefore a primary objective of the claimed invention to provide an optical disc drive that is stably capable of fixing tray module within the housing.  
         [0013]     According to the claimed invention, an optical disc drive comprises a housing having at least one track, a positioning part fixed on the housing, and a tray module. The tray module comprises a tray installed within the housing in with the ability to slide along the track, a solenoid fixed on the tray for providing a magnetic force, a latch installed beside the solenoid for moving according to changes in the magnetic force, a push rod fixed on the tray and able to rotate with respect to a pivot with one end of the push rod connected to the latch and the other end forming a space, a hook fixed on the tray with one end for engaging the positioning part and another end connected to the push rod, a first elastic body fixed on the pivot of the push rod, and a second elastic body installed on the tray and having one end fixed in the space of the push rod.  
         [0014]     These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an optical disc drive when a tray module is in a tray-in location according to the prior art.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 1  when the tray module is in a tray-out location.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 1  when the tray module is in tray-in location.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 1  when the tray module is in tray-out location.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an optical disc drive according to the present invention when a tray module is in the tray-in location.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  when the tray module is in complete tray-out location.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a location diagram of each component when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the complete tray-out location.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of each component in the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a reverse schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  when the tray module is in the tray-in location.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a front schematic diagram of some components when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the tray-in location.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a solenoid and a latch in the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a push rod in the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a reverse schematic diagram of some components at the time that the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is starting to be pushed out of the housing.  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a front schematic diagram of some components at the time that the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is starting to be pushed out of the housing.  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a reverse schematic diagram of some components when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the complete tray-out location.  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a front schematic diagram of some components when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the complete tray-out location.  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is a reverse schematic diagram of some components when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is pushed within the housing.  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a front schematic diagram when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is pushed within the housing.  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is reverse schematic diagram of some components of the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  when the tray module is in manual tray-out mode.  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a front diagram of some components when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the manual tray-out mode. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     Please refer to  FIG. 6 - FIG. 13 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an optical disc drive with the tray module in the tray-in location according to the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  when the tray module is in complete tray-out location.  FIG. 8  is a location diagram of each component when the tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the complete tray-out location.  FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of each component in the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 10  is a reverse schematic diagram of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  when the tray module is in the tray-in location.  FIG. 11  is a front schematic diagram of some components when a tray module of the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6  is in the tray-in location.  FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a solenoid and a latch in the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a push rod in the optical disc drive in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0037]     The optical disc drive  30  comprises a housing  32  having two tracks  34  and  36 , a tray module  38  movably installed within the housing  32  along the two tracks  34  and  36 . The tray module  38  comprises a read/write module  40  for reading and writing data in the optical disc, a tray  44  movably installed within the housing  32  along the tracks  34  and  36 , a positioning shaft  50  fixed on the housing  32 , a push rod  52  fixed in a rotatable manner on the tray  44  with respect to the pivot  51  with a first end of the push rod  52  connected to latch  48 , a second end of the push rod  52  forming a slot  53  (it is shown in  FIG. 13 ) and a third end of the push rod  52  comprising a protruding shaft  61 , a hook  54  fixed in a rotatable manner on the tray  44  with a first end locked onto the positioning shaft  50  and a second end having a hole connected to the protruding shaft  61 , a torsion spring  56  fixed on the pivot  51  of the push rod  52  with a first end  55  of the torsion spring  56  fixed on the push rod  52  and a second end  57  of the torsion spring  56  for pushing the hook  54 , and a compression spring  58  installed on the tray  44  with one end fixed in the slot  53  of the push rod  52 .  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 , the tray module  38  further comprises a solenoid  46  fixed on the tray  44  for providing magnetic force and a latch  48  installed beside the solenoid  46  moving in response to changes in the magnetic force. The solenoid  46  comprises a coil  60  and a magnet  62 . When the coil  60  of the solenoid  46  is supplied with power, the coil  60  generates a magnetic force to counteract the magnetic force of the magnet  62 . Countering the force from the magnet  62  frees the latch  48  allowing it to move in response to an external force. When the solenoid  46  is not supplied with power, the coil  60  does not generate a magnetic force to counteract the force from the magnet  62  meaning that the magnet  62  is capable of attracting the latch  48 .  
         [0039]     Please refer to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . When the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  is within the housing  32  and the coil  60  of the solenoid  46  is not supplied with power, the solenoid  46  can attract the latch  48 . Attracting the latch  48  to the solenoid pulls the first end of the push rod  52  closer to the solenoid  46 . This causes the second end  57  of the torsion spring  56  to first push the first end of the hook  54  away from the push rod  52  and then to lock the push rod  52  onto the positioning shaft, thereby counteracting the pushing force of compression spring  58  when the tray module  38  is within the housing  32 .  
         [0040]     Please refer to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 14  is a reverse schematic diagram of some components at the time the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  is starting to be pushed out of the housing  32 .  FIG. 15  is a front schematic diagram of some components at the time that the tray module of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  is starting to be pushed out of the housing  32 . The tray-out operation of the tray module  38  is operated via pressing the key  39  on the panel of the optical disc drive  30 . When the key  39  is pressed, the optical disc drive  30  sends a control signal to notify the CPU to send another control signal to supply the solenoid  46  with power. When the coil  60  of the solenoid  46  is supplied with power, the coil  60  generates a magnetic force to counteract the magnetic force of the magnet  62 . As a result, the solenoid  46  does not attract the latch  48  allowing the compression spring  58  to push the push rod  52 , which in turn makes the protruding shaft  61  push the hook  54 . In response to the push, the first end of the hook  54  rotates away from the positioning shaft  50 . At that moment, the compression spring  58  starts to push the tray  44  out of the housing  32 .  
         [0041]     Please refer to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 16  is a reverse schematic diagram of some components when a tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  is in the complete tray-out location.  FIG. 17  is a front schematic diagram of some components when a tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  is in the complete tray-out location. The charging-time period of the solenoid  46  is can be determined by the design demand of the optical disc drive  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the time-period of supplying power is very short. When the solenoid  46  is supplied with power, the solenoid  46  generates a magnetic force to counteract the magnetic force of the magnet  62 . As a result, the solenoid  46  does not attract the latch  48  allowing the compression spring  58  to push the push rod  52 , which in turn makes the push rod rotate with respect to the pivot  51  by a small angle. At that moment, the protruding shaft  61  is links to the hook  54  causing the hook  54  to rotate by a small angle. As a result, the first end of the hook  54  departs from the positioning shaft  50 , and the compressing spring  58  pushes the tray module  38  out of the housing  32 . When the tray module  38  is pushed out of the housing  32  a little distance and the solenoid  46  is not supplied with power, the solenoid  46  attracts the latch  48  to fix the push rod  52 . During this time, the protruding shaft  61  does not move the push the hook  54 . The hook  54  is pushed by the second end  57  of the torsion spring  56  to the location shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0042]     Please refer to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  again. The moment the tray module  38  is out of the housing  32 , the compression spring  58  pushes the tray module  38  until the tray module  38  is completely out of the housing  32 , and then the compression spring  58  gradually returns to the original length. When the tray module  38  is in complete tray-out location, the compression spring  58  returns to the original length.  
         [0043]     Please refer to  FIG. 16 - FIG. 19 .  FIG. 18  is a reverse schematic diagram of some components when the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  is pushed within the housing  32 .  FIG. 19  is a front schematic diagram of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  when the tray module  38  is pushed within the housing  32 . When the tray module  38  is pushed within the housing  32  from the complete tray-out location and the solenoid  46  is not supplied with power, the solenoid  46  can attract the latch  48  to fix the push rod  50 . When the tray module  38  is pushed into the housing  32  a little distance, the edge of the first end of the hook  54  is edging makes contact with the positioning shaft  50  (as shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 ). When the tray module  38  is pushed within the housing  32 , the hook  54  is pushed to rotate by a small angle until the first end of the hook  54  exceeds the positioning shaft  50  thereby locking the hook  54  onto the positioning shaft  50 . The compressing spring  58  is compressed continuously until the tray module  38  is completely pushed within the housing  32 . At this time, the compression spring has maximum elongation and continuously pushes the tray module  38 .  
         [0044]     Please refer to  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 20  is reverse schematic diagram of some components of the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  when the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  is in manual tray-out mode.  FIG. 21  is a front diagram of some components when the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in  FIG. 6  is in the manual tray-out mode. The manual tray-out operation of the tray module is operated via a hole  31  (as displayed in  FIG. 6 ). At the time the solenoid  46  is not supplied with power, the solenoid  46  attracts the latch  48  to fix the push rod  50 . When a needle-shaped object moves the hook  54  via the hole  31 , the hook  54  rotates by a small angle. The first end of the hook  54  departs from the positioning shaft  50 , so the compression spring  58  pushes the tray module  38  out of the housing  32  15-25 mm.  
         [0045]     Compared to the prior art, the character of the solenoid in the optical disc drive  30  in the invention along with a push rod, hook, and tray-out module is used to stably fix the tray module  38  of the optical disc drive  30  in the tray-in location and to solve the problem in the prior art of the tray module  14  not being stably fixed within the housing  12 . Because the components in the invention are not highly dependent, the precisions of the components are not necessarily high. As a result, the assembling inaccuracy can be reduced so that the quality and the cost can be improved. The final result is the optical disc drive in the invention is a simple-mechanism with stable-operation and artistic-design.  
         [0046]     Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.