Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
i .
DISC RECORDING AND/OR REPRODUCING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a recording and/or reproducing
apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a disc-shaped optical
recording medium employed as a recording medium.
2. Background of the Invention
In EP-A-0475595, for example, there has been proposed a disc
recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which information signals
are adapted for being recorded on or reproduced from a recording
disc, such as a magneto-optical disc or an optical disc, employed
as a recording medium.
Such disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes an
outer casing and a disc drive mounted within the outer casing. The
disc drive includes a spindle motor, an optical pickup unit, a
magnetic head unit and so forth. The disc drive is adapted for
recording and reproducing information signals on or from the
magneto-optical disc loaded thereon. The disc drive is also
adapted for reading information signals from the optical disc
loaded thereon.
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With the magneto-optical disc, the light beam converged by the
optical--pickup unit is radiated on the disc for locally heating its
signal recording layer, while a vertical external magnetic field
is applied to the signal recording layer of the heated area, for
recording information signals conforming to the intensity of the
light beam or to the modulation of the intensity of the external
magnetic field. Consequently, with this present. recording and/or
reproducing apparatus, the magnetic head is kept substantially in
sliding contact with the magneto-optical disc during the recording
mode of recording the information signals on the magneto-optical
disc in readiness for driving the optical pickup unit and for
enabling the magnetic field of, sufficient intensity to be applied
by the magnetic head to the signal recording layer.
When reading the information signals from the magneto-optical
disc or from the optical disc, the direction of polarization or the
intensity of the light beam radiated by the optical pickup unit and
reflected by the optical pickup unit is detected. The information
signals may be reproduced by demodulating changes in the direction
of polarization or in the light intensity. Consequently, when
reading the information signals from the recording disc, it is
unnecessary for the magnetic head to be in sliding contact with the
magneto-optical disc or the optical disc.
With the above-described disc recording and/or reproducing
apparatus,, it has been proposed to have the~magneto-optical disc
or the optidal disc inserted via an inserting slit formed in the
front panel of the outer casing for loading the disc on the disc
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drive. The disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus of this
type is known as the front loading type apparatus and includes a
loading unit for transporting the recording disc between the
inserting slit and the disc drive. It has been nrono~e~ t~ ha~ra
the magneto-optical disc or the optical disc housed within a disc
cartridge-. The disc cartridge is constituted as a thin casing for
v rotatable accommodating the disc therein.
The loading unit of the front loading type disc recording
and/or reproducing apparatus, constituted for making use of the
disc cartridge, that is the disc cartridge loading unit, includes
a cartridge holder into which the,disc cartridge is inserted and
held therein. The cartridge holder is supported for movement in
the outer casing. The cartridge holder is moved towards the disc
drive by a disc moving mechanism with the disc cartridge held
therein. The cartridge holder transports the disc cartridge up to
a position overlying the disc drive for loading the disc cartridge
on the disc drive.
Among the above-described disc recording and/or reproducing
apparatus, there is such a device in which the magnetic head is
kept in sliding contact with the_magneto-optical disc when the
latter is. loaded therein, and in which the magnetic head is spaced
apart from the optical disc when the latter is loaded therein.
With the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus of this
type, the disc cartridge is provided with means for deciding
~ whether the recording disc housed therein is a magneto-optical disc
or an optical disc, and the magnetic head position is controlled
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on the basis of the results of decision by the decision means. The
decision means detects discriminating portion formed on the disc
cartridge.. which is in the form of a hole or recess having a
different depth for the magneto-optical disc or the optical disc.
The mechanism for discriminating the type of the decision means is
a manually actuated micro-switch-provided on the base block of the
disc drive.
However, when the magneto-optical disc is loaded in position
in such disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the magnetic
head is caused to be slidingly contacted with the magneto-optical
disc not only when writing the information signals but also when
reading the information signals. Consequently, the magnetic head
is slidingly contacted with the magneto-optical disc to an
unnecessary extent, that is at a higher frequency than the
information signal writing frequency, with the result that the wear
caused to the magnetic head and to the magneto-optical disc is
undesirably increased.
Although it may be contemplated to discriminate whether or not
the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus is in the recording
mode~and to 'move the magnetic head based on the results of
discrimination, the apparatus tends to be complicated in structure
and bulky in size.
When the disc. cartridge is loaded on the disc drive of the
loading unit for the above-described recording and/or reproducing
apparatus' by way of loading, the disc cartridge is accommodated and
held in the cartridge holder. Consequently, when the disc
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cartridge is to be removed from the disc drive so as to be
discharged out of the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus
by way of unloading, it is necessary to extricate the disc
cartridge outwardly from the cartridge holder.
When the unloading is terminated, the cartridge holder is
housed within the outer casing of the disc recording and/or
reproducing apparatus. Consequently, when the disc cartridge
remains accommodated in the cartridge holder, the disc cartridge
cannot be taken out of the outer casing.
With the above-mentioned loading unit, the disc cartridge is
pushed out during unloading in a forward direction under the bias
of a spring mounted within the cartridge holder. With the loading
unit, the cartridge holder is introduced into the disc cartridge
of,the cartridge holder against the bias of the spring, that is as
the spring is elastically deformed by the disc cartridge.
Consequently, with the above-described loading unit, smooth
insertion of the disc cartridge into the cartridge holder cannot
be achieved because of the -elastic resistance offered by the
spring.
With the loading unit, there is a risk of destruction of the
disc cartridge by being thrown into open air under the bias of the
spring during unloading. Besides, since the disc cartridge is
discharged at a high speed during the unloading operation of the
loading unit, there is a risk of destruction of a pawl member used
for retaining a shutter member provided~in the disc cartridge in
a state of closure.
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SUN~IARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a
magneto-optical disc which resolves the above-mentioned problem.
It is another object of the present' invention to provide a
mechanism for loading a recording medium on a recording and/or
reproducing section of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus
which resolves the above-mentioned problem.
According to the, present invention, there is provided a
recording' and/or reproducing apparatus for a magneto-optical
recording medium including a holder for holding the magneto-optical .
recording medium introduced therein, a pair of cam members having
a cam groove composed of a first cam groove for moving the holder
in a horizontal direction and a second cam groove continuous with
the first cam groove and adapted for moving the holder in a
vertical. direction. The hol-der is movable along the cam groove
in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction in
continuation to movement in the horizontal direction. The
recording and/or reproducing apparatus also includes a driving unit
for driving the cam members in the horizontal direction, and a
recording and/or reproducing unit for recording and/or reproducing
information signals on or from the magneto-optical recording medium
loaded therein by the movement of the holder in the horizontal
direction and in the vertical direction in continuation to the
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movement ,in the horizontal direction. The recording and/or
reproducing unit has an optical pickup for radiating a light beam
on the magneto-optical ,recording medium loaded therein and a
magnetic head arranged facing the optical pickup unit with the
magneto-optical recording medium in-between. The magnetic head is
movable between a position proximate to the magneto-optical
recording medium and a position spaced apart upwardly therefrom,
wherein the pair of cam members are adapted for shifting the
magnetic head towards the position proximate to the magneto-optical
recording medium by a further horizontal movement by the driving
unit of the pair of cam members after loading of the holder in the
recording and/or reproducing unit by the pair of cam members.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a
mechanism for loading a recording medium in a recording and/or
reproducing unit including a holder for holding the recording
medium introduced therein, a pair of cam members having a cam
groove composed of first cam groove for moving the holder in a
horizontal direction and a second cam groove continuous with the
first cam groove and adapted for moving the holder in a vertical
direction. The holder is. movable along the cam groove in the
horizontal direction and in the vertical direction in continuation
to the movement in the horizontal direction. The loading mechanism
further includes a driving unit for driving the cam members in the
horizontal direction. The cam members are moved in a first
direction as a result of insertion of the recording medium. The
cam members set the driving unit into operating states, as a result
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of insertion of the recording medium. The cam members cause the
holder to be moved in a horizontal direction by a movement of the
cam members in the second horizontal direction in continuation to
a movement thereof in the first horizontal direction by the driving
unit. The cam members cause the holder to be loaded on the
recording~and/or reproducing unit by a movement of the cam members
in a third horizontal direction in continuation to the movement
thereof in the second horizontal direction by the driving unit.
According to the present invention, there is further provided
a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a magneto-optical
recording medium housed within a disc cartridge. The apparatus
includes a casing having an opening by which the disc cartridge is
introduced into or ejected from the casing, a recording and/or
reproducing unit housed within the casing and having a magnetic
head for applying a perpendicular magnetic field to the
magneto-optical recording medium, and a transporting unit for
loading the disc cartridge inserted via the opening on the
recording and/or reproducing-unit. The transporting unit has a
holder for holding the inserted disc cartridge and a pair of cam
members having cam grooves. for moving the holder in the horizontal
direction in the casing and in the vertical direction in
continuation to the movement in the horizontal direction in the
casing, and a driving unit for driving the cam members in the
horizontal direction in the casing. The cam members are moved in
a first direction as a result of insertion of the disc cartridge.
The cam members set the driving unit into operating states as a
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result of insertion of the disc cartridge. The cam members cause
the holder to be moved~in the horizontal direction by a movement
of the cam members in a second horizontal direction in continuation
to a movement thereof in the first horizontal direction by the
driving unit. The cam members cause the holder to be loaded on the
recording and/or reproducing unit by a movement of the cam members
in a third horizontal direction in continuation to the movement
thereof in the second horizontal direction by the driving unit.
According to the present invention, since the magnetic head
is'lowered by the movement of a pair of cam members after the cam
members have been loaded in the recording and/or reproducing unit
for the magneto-optical recording medium, the magnetic head may be
lowered to a position proximate to the magneto-optical recording
medium only during the recording on the magneto-optical recording
medium.
According to the present invention, the holder for holding the
recording, medium may be lowered relative to the recording and/or
reproducing unit only by the horizontal movement of a pair of cam
grooves for simplifying the mechanism of loading the recording
medium on the recording and/or reproducing medium.
According to the present invention, the recording medium or
the disc cartridge housing the recording medium therein may be
smoothly inserted into the cartridge holder as holding means.
Besides, the speed of movement of the recording medium or the disc
~ cartridge having the recording medium housed therein is suppressed
during ejection of the recording medium or the disc cartridge
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having the recording medium housed therein to prevent damage from
being inflicted on recording medium or the disc cartridge having
the recording medium housed therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more readily understood with reference
to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
~ Fig.- 1 is a perspective view of a disc recording and/or
reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the disc
recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the present
invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a supporting structure for
a magnetic_head of the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus
according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the supporting structure of the
magnetic head.
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the supporting
structure for the magnetic head.
Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the structure of a disc
cartridge loading unit of the disc recording and/or reproducing
apparatus according to the present invention.
~.w Fig.-- 7 is a side view showing a partial structure of one
lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit. .
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Fig. 8-is a side view showing a partial structure of the
opposite lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has been introduced into the disc cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has started to be introduced into the disc cartridge
loading- ui~.it .
Fig. 11 is a side view showing a partial structure of one
lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in such state in
which the disc cartridge has been introduced into the disc
cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 12 is a side view showing a partial structure of the
opposite lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in such
state in which the disc cartridge has been introduced into the disc
cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has been inserted as far a the rear end into the disc
cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 14 is a side view showing a partial structure of one
lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in such state in
which the disc cartridge has been inserted as far as the rear end
into the disc cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 15 is a side view showing a partial structure of the
opposite lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in such
state in which the disc cartridge has been inserted as far as the
rear end into the disc cartridge loading unit.
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Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the state in which the loading
of the disc cartridge by the disc cartridge loading unit is
terminated in readiness for reproduction.
Fig.'s 17 is a side view showing a partial structure of one
lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in which the
loading of the disc cartridge by the disc cartridge loading unit
is terminated in readiness for reproduction.
Fig. 18 is a side view showing a partial structure of the
opposite lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in which
the loading of the disc cartridge by the disc cartridge loading
unit is_terminated in readiness for reproduction.
Fig. 19 is a plan view showing the recording state of the disc
cartridge loading unit.
Fig. 20 is a side view showing a partial structure of one
lateral side of the disc cartridge loading unit in the recording
state.
Fig. 21 is a side view showing a partial structure of the
opposite lateral side of the-disc cartridge loading unit in the
recording state.
Fig. 22 is an exploded side view showing the relation between
the disc cartridge and the disc drive of the disc recording and/or
reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 23 is a side view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has been transported onto the disc drive.
Fig. 24 is a side view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has been transported onto the disc drive in readiness for
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reproduction.
Fig . 25 is a side view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has been transported onto the disc drive in readiness for
recording:
Fig. 26 is a plan view showing the constitution of the disc
drive according to the present invention.
Fig. 27 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc
cartridge has been transported onto the disc drive in readiness for
reproduction.
~ Fig. 28 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view
showing the constitution of the vicinity of the disc cartridge
insertion slit of the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus
according to the present invention.
Fig. 29 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view
showing the state in which the disc cartridge inserting slit has
been closed.
Fig. 30 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view
showing the state in which the-inserting slit has been closed after
loading the disc cartridge.
Fig. 31 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view
showing the constitution of a damper for supporting a floating
chassis of the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus
according to the present invention.
Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the
disc cartridge employed for data recording and/or reproduction
among the disc cartridges employed in the disc recording and/or
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reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 33 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the
disc cartridge shown in Fig. 32.
Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing the constitution of the
disc cartridge employed exclusively for data reproduction among the
disc cartridges employed in the disc recording and/or reproducing
apparatus according to the present invention.
Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the
disc cartridge shown in Fig. 34.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the
present invention will be explained in detail.
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied
to a disc recorder recording and/or reproducing information signals
using the magneto-optical disc contained in a disc cartridge as a
recording medium.
[Outline of the Disc Recorder]
The disc recorder includes a floating chassis 12 housed within
an outer casing 1, as shown in Fig. 1. The outer casing 1 is made
up of a main body member formed of synthetic resin or metal as a
casing opened on the front side, and a front panel 2 closing the
opened front side of the main body member. A disc cartridge
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inserting slit 3 as a disc inserting slit is formed in the front
panel 2. The inserting slit 3, closed from the inner side by a lid
4, is formed with its longitudinal axis extending in the horizontal
direction. A power source ON/OFF button 7, an ejection button 5,
a recording button 10, a playback button 8, a stop button 9, a
sound volume. adjustment knob 11 and a display unit 6 are arrayed
on the front panel 2. These members 5 to 11 are connected to an
electronic circuitry housed within the outer casing 1 for
constituting the disc recorder.
With the present disc recorder, the main power source is
turned on by actuating the power source ON/OFF button 7 and the
disc cartridge is inserted via the inserting slit 3 for loading on
the floating chassis 12. The recording mode is selected and
executed by the thrusting actuation of the recording button 10.
The playback mode is selected and executed by the thrusting
actuation of the playback button 8. The display unit 6 is
constituted using a photocell or a liquid display device (LCD) for
displaying letters, numerals or symbols for displaying the
recording time duration, program number, the program name or the
like. The display unit 6 is provided below the inserting slit 3.
With the present disc recorder, the portions in the outer
casing 1 which play the role of a heat source, such as a power
source circuit or an output circuit, are arranged at back of the
floating chassis 12. The rear side portion of the outer casing 1
in register with the heat source is formed with a large number of
heat-radiating slits, not shown. Thus, with the present disc
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
recorder, the heat generated by the heat source is prevented by the
outer wall of the floating chassis 12 from being conducted towards
the optical pickup unit as later explained or towards the disc
cartridge on the floating chassis.
- _ . _
_. [Constitution of the Disc Cartridge]
The disc cartridge includes a cartridge main body 202
contained in a magneto-optical disc 203, as shown in Figs. 32 and
33. The disc cartridge 201 is used for recording and/or reproducing
information signals. The magneto-optical disc.203 includes a
magnetic material deposited on a disc substrate. The information
signals may be recorded-on the magneto-optical disc 203 by locally
heating the magnetic material to a temperature higher than the
Curie temperature by radiation of a light beam or the like and by
applying a vertical external magnetic field to the heated area of
the magnetic material. The information signals may also be readout
from the magneto-optical disc .203 by radiating a linearly polarized
light beam as a polarized laser light beam thereon and detecting
changes in the plane of polarization of. the linearly polarized
laser light beam due to the Kerr effect. The magneto-optical disc
203 has a center chucking opening.205 closed by a chucking plate
206.
The cartridge main body 202 is formed as a thin casing having
~ rectangular major surfaces in correspondence with the thickness and
the diameter of the magneto-optical disc 203. The upper and lower
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major surfaces of the cartridge main body 202 are formed with
apertures-207, 208 for exposing the partial regions of the major
surfaces of the magneto-optical disc 203 extending across the inner
and outer rims of the disc to outside. The lower major surface of
the cartridge main body 202 in formed with a chucking aperture 216
for exposing the chucking opening 205 to outside. The apertures
207, 208 may be opened or closed by a shutter. member 210 slidable
mounted on the cartridge main body 202. The shutter member 210 is
formed by bending a thin plate-shaped member in the shape of a
letter U and is adapted for closing the apertures 207, 208 by its
planar shutter plate sections . The shutter member 210 is supported
for sliding in the fore and aft direction by having its center web
resting on a lateral edge of the cartridge main body 202, as shown
by an arrow T in Fig. 32. The lateral edge of the cartridge main
body 202 is formed with a groove 209 for supporting the shutter
member 210. The shutter member 210 is supported by the cartridge
main body 202 with a center lug 212 resting in the groove 209.
The mid portion of the shutter member 210 in register with the
lateral edge of the cartridge main body 202 is formed with an
engaging opening 211.
The opposite side edge of the cartridge main body 202 is
formed with a mistaken insertion inhibiting groove 220 which is
opened forwardly on the front end face of the cartridge main body
202 and which is extended as far as the mid part of the opposite
lateral edge of the cartridge main body 202.
The disc cartridge may also includes a cartridge main body 222
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accommodated in an optical disc 223, as shown in Figs. 34 and 35.
The disc cartridge 221 is used exclusively for reproducing the
information signals. The optical disc 223 includes a reflecting
layer of e.g. aluminum, deposited on a disc substrate, in which
fine crests and troughs , that is pits , are formed in correspondence
with information signals. With the optical disc 223, information
signals amy be read by radiating a coherent light beam, such as a
laser light beam, thereon and detecting changes in the reflected
light volume caused by scattering or interference by the pits of
the coherent light beam. The optical disc 223 has a center chucking
opening 205 which is closed by a chucking plate 206.
The cartridge main body 222 of the disc cartridge 221 is
formed as a thin casing having rectangular major surfaces in
correspondence with the thickness and the diameter of the optical
disc 223. The lower major surface of the cartridge main body 222
is formed with an aperture 208, by means of which the portion of
the signal readout lower major surface of the optical disc 223
extending across the inner anel outer rims of the optical disc 223
is exposed to outside. The lower major surface of the cartridge
main body 222 is formed with a center chucking aperture 216 for
exposing the chucking opening 205 to outside. The aperture 208 may
be opened or closed by a shutter member 230 slidable mounted on the
cartridge main body 222. The shutter member 230 is formed by
bending a thin plate-shaped member in the cross-sectional shape of
a letter U and 'is' adapted for closing the aperture 208 with its
planar shutter plate section on its one side. The shutter member
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230 is~ supported for sliding by having its opposite side resting
on a lateral edge of the cartridge main body 222. The lateral edge
of -the cartridge main body 202 is formed with a groove 209 for
supporting the shutter member 210. The shutter member 230 is
supported by the cartridge main body 222 with a center lug 212
formed on its opposite lateral side resting in the groove 209. The
opposite lateral side of the shutter member 230 in register with
the lateral side of the cartridge main body 202 is formed with an
engaging opening 211.
The opposite lateral edge of the cartridge body 222 is formed
with a mistaken insertion inhibiting groove 220 which is opened
forwardly on the front end face of the cartridge main body 222 and
which is extended as far as the mid part of the opposite lateral
edge of the cartridge main body 222.
The lower major surfaces of the cartridge main body 202, 222
of the disc cartridges 201, 221 are formed with a pair of
positioning holes 213, 214 and a pair of engaging recesses 218,
219. The positioning holes 213, 214 are formed are formed in the
fore and aft direction in the inserting direction of the disc
cartridge 210 or 221. The engaging recesses 218, 219 are formed
on both lateral edges of the disc cartridges 201, 221 towards the
foremost ends thereof in the disc cartridge inserting direction.
Each of the disc cartridges 202, 222 is so dimensioned that
the distance between the bottom of the mistaken insertion
inhibiting groove 220 and the bottom of the groove 209 is shorter
than the disc cartridge length in the fore and aft direction in the
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disc cartridge inserting direction.
[Supporting Structure of the Floating Chassis]
The disc recorder has the floating chassis 12 formed of a
metal plate material or the like and including.a horizontal plate
section 107, a lateral plate section 13 and an opposite side
lateral plate section 14 mounted at right angles to the horizontal
plate section 107, as shown in Fig. 1. On the lateral plate
section 13 are formed a pair of supporting lugs 17, 18 for
extending outward as shown in Fig. 6. On the opposite lateral
plate section 14 are formed a pair of supporting lugs 15, 16 for
extending outward, similarly as shown in Fig. 6. These supporting
lugs 15 to 18 are each formed with a damper receiving hole 20 in
which a~ damper 19 is fitted as shown in Fig. 31. These four
dampers 19 play the role of supporting the floating chassis 12 in
a manner of being floated relative to a fixed chassis 26 fixedly
mounted with the outer casing-1.
The damper 19 is made up of a supporting shaft 21 having its
proximal end screwed fixedly into the fixed chassis 26, a rubber
tube 23 fitted on the supporting shaft 21 and a coil spring 24
wound about the supporting shaft 21. A ring member 22 formed of
a low friction material, such as synthetic resin, is interposed
between the supporting shaft 21 and the rubber tube 23. The inner
rim of the damper receiving hole 22 is engaged with an engaging
groove 25 in the distal end of the rubber tube 23 so as to be
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
supported by the rubber tube 23.
The floating chassis 12, thus supported by the dampers 19, is
prevented by the coil spring 24 and the rubber tube 23 from
performing a movement in a horizontal direction which is parallel
to the fixed chassis 26 shown by an arrow S in Fig. 31. The
floating chassis 12 is enabled to be moved in the vertical
direction normal to the fixed chassis 26 as shown by an arrow R in
Fig. 31, so that the floating chassis is supported in a manner
exempt from vibrations or shocks propagated thereto from outside.
[Constitution of the Disc Cartridge Loading Unit (1)]
The disc cartridge loading unit is arranged on the floating
chassis 12, and includes left and right cam plates 27, 28 which are
disposed on the inner sides of the side plate sections 13, 14 above
a flat plate section 107 for sliding relative to the side plate
sections 13, 14, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2: The cam plate 27 is
supported by the lateral plate section 13 by having a pair of
supporting pins 77, 78 passed through first and second supporting
slits 82, 84 formed in the lateral plate section 13, respectively,
as shown in Fig. 7. The first supporting slit 82 is linear and
extends from the front end as far as the mid part of the lateral
plate section 13 in the fore and aft direction. The second
supporting slit 84 is similarly linear and extends from the mid
part as far as the rear end~of the lateral plate section 13 in the
fore and aft direction and has its portion near the rear end bent
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perpendicularly downwards, that is towards the flat plate section
107. The opposite lateral cam plate 28 is supported by the
opposite lateral plate section 14 by forward and rear supporting
pins 77, 78 passed through first and second supporting slits 79,
81 formed in the lateral plate section 14, as shown in Fig. 8. The
first supporting slit 79 is also linear and extends from the front
end as far as the mid part of. the opposite lateral plate section
14 in the fore and aft direction. The second supporting slit 81
is linear and extends from the mid part as far as the rear end of
the opposite lateral plate section 14 in the fore and aft direction
and has its portion near the rear end bent.perpendicularly
downwards, that is towards the flat plate section 107.
Each of the cam plates 27, 28 has a forward cam groove 73, a
rear cam groove 74 and a rack gear 76. The forward cam groove 73
is made up of a forward horizontal section, a rear horizontal
section at a higher position than and spaced apart from the forward
horizontal section and an inclined section interconnecting the rear
end of the forward horizontal section and the forward end of the
rear horizontal section. The forward cam groove 73 is formed in
the forward portion of each of the cam plates 27, 28. The rear cam
groove 74 is of the same contour as the forward cam groove 73 and
is formed at the rear portion of each of the cam plates 27 and 28.
The rack gear 76 is formed on the lower edge of each of the cam
plates 27, 28 for extending from the forward end towards the rear
end of each cam plate 27, 28.
An engaging opening 75 is formed in the cam plate 27 between
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the cam grooves 73 and 74. The engaging opening 75 is elongated
with its longitudinal axis extending in the fore and aft direction
and has its rear edge formed as an inclined section substantially
corresponding to the inclined sections of the cam grooves 73, 74.
A head operating cam groove 109 is formed in the rear cam
plate 28 for extending from its mid portion a far as its rear end
portion. The head operating cam groove 109 is linear in the fore
and aft direction and has its forward end and its near-by portion
bent perpendicularly upwards, that is in a direction away from the
flat plate section 107, to form a head operating section 110.
Between the cam plates 27, 28 is arranged a disc loading unit
made up of a loading plate 29, a cartridge holder 30 and a slide
plate 31.~
The loading plate 29 is formed as a flat plate substantially
equal in size to the~flat plate section 107, and has its both ends
bent in a downward direction. On the lateral sides of the loading
plate 29, that is on the downwardly bent outer lateral sides of the
loading plate 29, there are protuberantly mounted left and right
supporting pins 32, 33; 34, 35. The forward supporting pin 32 is
introduced into the forward cam groove 73 in the lateral cam plate
27 and into a third supporting slit 83 in the lateral plate section
13. The third supporting slit 83 is extended linearly from the
forward section as far as the mid part of the lateral plate section
13 in the fore and aft direction and has its rear portion bent
~ perpendicularly downwards. The rear supporting pin 33 on one
lateral side is intruded into a rear cam groove 74 in the lateral
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cam plate 27 and through a third supporting slit 84 in the side
plate section 13. The forward side supporting pin 34 is intruded
into the forward cam groove 73 in the opposite cam plate 28 and
into a third supporting slit 80 in the lateral plate section 14,
as shown in Fig. 8. The third supporting slit ~80 is extended
linearly from the forward section as far as the mid part of the
lateral plate section 14 in the fore and aft direction and has its
rear portion bent perpendicularly downwards. The rear supporting
pin 35 on the opposite lateral side is intruded into a rear cam
groove '74 in the lateral cam plate 28 and through a second
supporting slit 81 in the side plate section 14.
The loading plate 29 is supported by the lateral plate
sections 13, 14 for sliding in the fore and aft direction via the
supporting pins 32 to 35. When the cam plates 27, 28 are moved in
the fore and aft direction, the loading plate 29 is moved in.the
fore and aft direction along the third and second supporting slits
80, 81; 83, 84. With the supporting pins 32 to 35 located at the
rear ends of the third and second supporting slits 80, 81; 83, 84,
the loading plate 29 is lowered in a direction of approaching the
flat plate section 107.
The loading plate 29 has, on its one lateral side, a first
opening 36 having a size substantially half that of the loading
plate on its opposite side, while having a second opening 43 on the
opposite side.
D
The cartridge holder 30~ is formed substantially as a flat
plate having a width substantially corresponding to the overall
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CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
width of the loading plate 29, and is bent on either sides in a
hooked shape to form cartridge holding sections 53, 54, as shown
in Fig. 2. These cartridge holding sections 53, 54 play the role
of holding the disc cartridge 201 or 221. The cartridge holder 30
is disposed below the loading plate 29. When the disc cartridge
201 or 222 is inserted from the front side into the cartridge.,
holder 30, the disc cartridge is held with the cartridge main body
202 or 222 of the disc cartridge 201 or 221 positioned between the
major surface and the cartridge holding sections 53, 54 of the
cartridge holder 30. The cartridge holder 30 is supported by being
suspended relative to the loading plate 29 via supporting rods 37,
38 and 39 inserted through supporting holes 40, 41, 42 formed at
forward left and right and mid portions of the loading plate 29.
The lower_ends of the supporting rods 37 to 39 are introduced into
engaging holes 58, 59 and 60 formed at forward left and right and
mid portions of the cartridge holder 30. The cartridge holder 30
may be moved vertically relative to the loading plate 29 a distance
on the order of the length of peach of the supporting rods 37 to 39.
The cartridge holder 30 has an aperture 51 in register with
a first aperture 36 of the loading plate 29. The cartridge holder
has on its rear edge a cartridge positioning wall section 61
formed by downwardly bending the rear edge of the cartridge holder
30.
The opposite side holding section 54 of the cartridge holder
25 30 is formed with a shutter opening pawl 173 and a shutter closing
pawl 56 both directed towards the inner side of the cartridge
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
holder 30. The shutter opening pawl 173 is integrally
protuberantly formed from the lateral wall forming the holding
section 54 so as to be intruded into the groove 209 of the
cartridge- main body 202 or 222. The shutter closing pawl 56 is
the hooked forward end of a lever pivotally mounted on the lateral
wall of the holding section 54, and is intruded into the inside of
the cartridge holder 30 via a slit 55 formed in the lateral wall
section. The shutter closing pawl 56 is biased to be intruded into
the inside of the cartridge holder 30 by a torsion coil spring 57
provided between the pawl 56 and the cartridge holder 30. The
shutter closing pawl 56 is biased to be intruded into an engaging
hole 211 of the shutter member 210 or 230 of the disc cartridge 201
or 221.
The holding section 53 of the cartridge holder 30 is formed
with a mistaken insertion inhibiting protrusion 180 which is
extended towards the inner side of the cartridge holder 30, that
is in a direction of facing the shutter opening pawl 173. The
protrusion 180 is integrally protruded from the lateral wall of the
holding section 53. When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is
introduced into the cartridge holder 30 from the forward side, the
protrusion 180 is intruded into the mistaken insertion inhibiting
groove 220.
The slider plate 31 is formed as a flat plate having a size
substantially equal to one half of one lateral half portion of the
' cartridge holder 30, and is adapted for performing a sliding
movement in the fore and aft direction within a pre-set range. The
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CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
slider plate 31 is arranged between the lateral quarter portion of
the loading plate 29 and a lateral portion of the cartridge holder
30. The slider plate 31 is biased in a direction of being moved
rearward relative to the cartridge holder 30 as indicated by an
arrow D in Fig. 2 by a tension coil spring 49 provided between a
spring retainer at the rear portion of the slider plate 31 and a
spring retainer 50 provided on the rear end of the cartridge holder
30. Meanwhile, the tension coil spring 49 is positioned within an
opening 52 formed in the lateral half portion of the cartridge
holder 30.
A mating thrusting portion 47 is formed on the opposite
lateral edge of the slide plate 31 by downwardly bending a part of
the slide plate 31, as shown in Fig. 2. The mating thrusting
portion 47 is intruded via an opening 51 in the cartridge holder
30 into the inside of the cartridge holder 30. In an initial_state
in which the slide plate 31 is located forwardly of the cartridge
holder 30 against the bias of the tension spring 49, the mating
thrusting portion 47 is located forwardly of the cartridge
positioning wall section 61. When the slide plate 31 is moved to
a position rearwardly of the cartridge holder 30, the mating
thrusting portion 47 is moved to a position flush with the
cartridge positioning wall section 61.
An actuating pin mounting lug 44 is formed on one lateral edge
of the slide plate 31 by upwardly bending a portion of the slide
- plate 31. An actuating pin 45 is mounted on the lug 44 for being
protruded outward. The actuating pin 45 is protruded via a second
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CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
opening 43 of the loading plate 29 towards the cam plate 27 via a
second opening 43 in the loading plate 29 for being intruded into
an engaging opening 75 formed in the cam plate 27.
A cartridge insertion detection arm 62 and a stop arm 68 are
mounted-for rotation on the slide plate 31, as shown in Fig. 2.
The detection arm 62 has a mounting hole 63 on its proximal side.
The detection arm 62 is mounted on the slide plate 31 by a mounting
pin 66 introduced through the mounting hole 63 and introduced into
a mounting hole 174 of the slide plate 31. The detection arm 62
has a terminal abutment portion 65 which is protruded at a position
between the cartridge holder 30 and the cam plate 27. The
detection arm 62 also has-an intermediate cartridge abutment pin
170 which is protruded ~downwardly for being intruded into the
inside of the cartridge holder 30.
The detection arm 62 is rotationally biased by a torsion coil
spring 67 for shifting the abutment portion 65 forwards, as shown
by an arrow C in Fig. 2. The torsion coil spring 67 has its coil
part wrapped around the mounting pin 66 and has its one arm
retained by a spring retainer 46 mounted upright on the slide plate
30, while having its other arm retained by.a spring retainer 64
mounted upright on the detection arm 62. The detection arm 62 is
positioned by a retainer 48 at a position of being abutted against
the retainer 48. The retainer 48 is mounted on the slide plate 31
at a position ahead of the detection arm 62.
The stop arm 68 has a mounting hole 71 on its proximal side
and is mounted on the slide plate 31 by a mounting pin which is
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introduced through the mounting hole 71 and into a mounting hole
formed iri- the slide plate 31. The stop arm 68 has on its distal
side an abutment boss 69, a cartridge engaging lug 70 and a stop
shoulder 169. The stop arm 68 has its distal. end located between
the cartridge holder 30 and the cam .plate 27 and directed forwards,
as shown in Fig. 6. The abutment boss 69 is formed on the upper
surface of the stop arm 68 and directed upwards. The engaging lug
70 is protruded from the lateral edge of the stop arm 68 towards
the cartridge holder 30. The engaging lug 70 is intruded into the
inside of the cartridge holder 30 via. a notch formed in the lateral
wall section of the cartridge holder 30. The stop shoulder 169 is
formed on the lateral edge of the stop arm 68 directed towards the
cam plate 27. This stop arm 68 is rotationally biased by a torsion
coil spring 72 so that its distal end is moved towards the cam
plate 27, as shown by an arrow B in Fig. 2.
When the loading plate 29 is positioned ahead of the floating
chassis 12 and the slide plate 31 is positioned ahead of the
cartridge holder 30, the stop arm 68 has its stop shoulder 169
retained by the forward portion of a stop wall section 85 formed
upright on the flat plate section 107, as shown in Fig. 6. As a
result thereof , the slide plate 31 and the loading plate 29 are
prevented from being moved rearward. The stop wall section 85 is
formed on the lateral side of the flat plate section 107 for
extending upwards and in the fore and aft direction.
[Constitution of the Disc Drive Block]
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A disc drive block 147 as the disc drive is mounted on the
flat plate section 107 of the floating chassis 12, as shown in
Figs. 22 to 27. The disc drive block 147 includes a base block 130
and a disc table 149, an optical pickup unit 148 and a magnetic
head 143 mounted on the base block 130.
The disc table 149 is mounted on a driving shaft 155 of a
spindle motor fixedly mounted on the base block 130. The disc
table 149 is substantially disk-shaped and includes a disc setting
portion in the form of a flat plate 150 and an upwardly directed
tapered portion 151 formed at a mid part of the disc setting
portion 150. A magnet, not shown, is mounted within the tapered
portion 151. When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is loaded on the
base block 130, the disc table 149 is intruded via the chucking
aperture 216 into the inside of the cartridge main body 202 or 222.
The magneto-optical disc 203 or the optical disc 223 is centrally
set on the disc table 149 intruded into the inside of the cartridge
main body 202 or 222. When the magneto-optical disc 203 or the
optical disc 223 is set on the disc table 149, the magnet arranged
within the tapered portion 151 attracts the chucking plate 206.
As~~a result thereof, the tapered portion 151 is intruded into the
chucking hole 205 so that a setting surface section 215 around the
chucking opening 205 is set on the disc setting portion 150.
The optical pickup unit 148 includes an optical block having
~ wenclosed therein a light source, such as a semiconductor laser,
optical devices such as a beam splitter prism or a collimator lens,
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
and a photodetector. The optical pickup unit 148 also includes an
objective lens 158 for converging the light beam radiated by the
light source. The optical pickup unit 148 detects the light
converged by the objective lens 158 and reflected from the medium
by the photodetector 'via the objective lens 158. The optical
pickup unit 148 -is supported by a pair of parallel guide shafts
152, 153 mounted on the base block 130 and is arranged on the
opposite side of the disc table 149. Referring to Fig. 26, the
optical pickup unit 148 is adapted for being moved on the base
block 130 along the guide shafts 152, 153 in the lest-and-right
direction, that is towards and away from the disc table 149, as
shown by an arrow L.
The base block 130 has a pair of positioning pins 156; 157
which are substantially conical-shaped pins tapered at the distal
ends. When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is set and loaded on the
base block 130, the positioning pins 156, 157 are intruded into
positioning openings 213, 214 in the disc cartridge 201 or 221 for
positioning the disc cartridge 201 or 221 relative to the base
block 130. When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is positioned by the
portioning pins 156, 157, the magneto-optical disc 203 or the
optical disc 223 is set and loaded on the disc table 149.
The magnetic head 143 is supported via a head arm 128 and a
gimbal spring 142 on a connecting arm 121 connected to the optical
pickup unit 148, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and Figs. 22 to 25. The
connecting arm 121 has its proximal end mounted on the lower
surface of the optical pickup unit 148 so that its distal end is
31
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
protruded rearwardly from the rear edge of the base block 130. The
distal end of the connecting arm 121 is formed with a pair of
supporting sections 122, '131 interconnected by a supporting shaft
123. A head supporting'base member 135 is mounted for rotation on
the supporting shaft 123. The head supporting base 135 is formed
by a flat plate member having its sides bent downwards. Both side
flaps of the base member 135 are formed with through-holes 176 for
supporting the supporting shaft 123 therein.
The head arm 128 has its proximal end mounted on the head
supporting base member 135 by set screws 134. A supporting arm 140
has its proximal end mounted by set screws 141 on the distal end
of the head arm 128. The head arm 140 is formed of metal or the
like material as a tapered rod. The gimbal spring 142 has its
proximal end mounted on the distal end of the head arm 128 so as
to be clamped between the head arm 128 and the proximal end of the
supporting arm 140. The gimbal spring 142 is formed as a thin
plate spring and has its distal end positioned below the distal end
of the supporting arm 140. A suspension ring 146 formed at the
distal end of the gimbal spring 140 is engaged by a suspension lug
145 formed at the distal end of the supporting arm 140. The
magnetic head 143 is mounted on the distal end of the gimbal spring
142 via a slide member 144. The slide member 144 is formed of a
low-friction material, such as synthetic resin, and is engaged with
the gimbal spring 142 while sheathing the lower surface of the
magnetic head Z43.'~The magnetic head is positioned and supported
on the optical axis of the objective lens 158. The magnetic head
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143 generates the magnetic field by being supplied with current via
a flexible substrate 139 having its proximal side attached to the
supportinq arm 140. An electric cord 138 is connected to the
flexible substrate for supplying the current thereto. -
By the head supporting base member 135 being rotated about the
supporting shaft 123, the magnetic head 143 may be moved towards
and away from the magneto-optical disc 203 or the optical disc 223
loaded on the disc table 149. The head supporting base member 135
is rotationally biased by the torsion coil spring 132 arranged
between the base member 135 and the supporting member 131 in a
downward direction, that is in a direction of abutting the magnetic
head 143 against the magneto-optical disc 203 or the optical disc
223 loaded on the disc table 149, as shown by an arrow H in
Fig. 5.
A rotation producing shaft 124 is mounted on the head
supporting base member 135 ahead of the supporting shaft 123. The
rotation producing shaft 124 is introduced through a pair of
through-holes 175 formed in the downturned portions of the lateral
sides of the head supporting base member 135 in parallel with the
supporting shaft 123 so as to be mounted on the head supporting
base member 135. In a rotation producing arm 125, the supporting
shaft 123 and the rotation producing shaft 124 is mounted by
traversing the arm 125, as shown in Fig. 27. That is, the rotation
producing arm 125 is formed as a rod extending in the fore and aft
25~ direction and having a through-hole traversed 'by the rotation
producing shaft 124 and another through-hole traversed by the
33
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supporting shaft 123.. The rotation producing arm 125 is adapted
for being moved along the supporting shaft 123 and the rotation
producing shaft 124 in a left and right direction relative to the
head supporting base member 135. The rotation producing arm 125
has its forward side abutment portion 127 positioned above the rear
edge of the base block 130 while having its rear side mating
_ operating portion 126 protruded in the rearward direction. The
rotation producing arm 125 is prevented from being moved in the
left and right direction relative to the base block 130 by having
its abutment portion 127 positioned. between paired wall sections
177, 178 mounted in the vicinity of the rear edge of the base block
130. As the connecting arm 121 is moved along with the optical
pickup unit 148 in the left and right direction, that is in a
direction towards and away from the disc table 149; along with the
optical pickup unit 148, the rotation producing arm 125 is moved
relative to the connecting arm 121 along the supporting shaft 123
and the rotation producing shaft 124, while remaining stationary
relative to the base block 139.
The rotation producing arm 125 causes the abutment portion 127
to bear against a height reference 129 provided in the vicinity of
the rear edge of the base block 130, as shown in Fig. 22. This
causes the head supporting base member 135 to be positioned at a
pre-set rotational position of causing the magnetic head 143 to be
slidingly contacted with the magneto-optical disc 203 or the
" optical disc 223. When the mating operating member 126 is thrust
downwards, the rotation producing arm 125 holds the head supporting
34
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
base member 135 at a rotational position in which it has been
rotated against the bias of the torsion spring 132, as shown in
Fig. 4. As a result thereof, the magnetic head 143 is held at a
position removed from the magneto-optical disc 203 or the optical
disc 223 loaded on the.disc table 149.
A head lifting arm 119 is provided on the flat plate section
107, as shown in Figs. 8, 12, 15, 18 and 21 to 25. The head
lifting arm 119 has its mid portion rotatable supported on a
supporting shaft 118 supported on the flat plate section 107.
Besides, the head lifting arm -119 has on its one end a profiling
protrusion 120 engaged with a head actuating cam groove 109 while
having at its other end an operating pin 154 disposed above the
mating operating portion 126. If any mode other than the recording
mode is selected, the head lifting arm 119 has its profiling
protrusion 120 supported by the head operating cam groove 109, as
shown in Figs. 8, 12, 15, 18 and 22 to 24. In this manner, the
lifting arm 119 thrusts and supports the mating operating portion
126 by its actuating pin 154 for holding the magnetic head 143 at
an elevated position. When the recording mode is selected, with
the cam plates 27, 28 being moved rearward, the profiling pin 120
is intruded into the head actuating section 110 for rotating the
lifting arm 119 to release the thrusting of the mating operating
section 126 by the actuating pin 154 far enabling the magnetic head
143 to be moved downwards, as shown in Figs. 21 to 25.
The head arm 128 may be adjusted as to its position relative
to the head supporting base member 135 in the fore and aft
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
direction, that is in the extending direction as shown by an arrow
G in Fig. 4. The proximal portion of the head arm 128 is formed
with an adjustment elongated opening 136 into which is inserted an
adjustment pin 137 set on the head base member 130. For adjusting
the position in the fore and aft direction of the head arm 128, the
set screw 134 is slightly loosened and an adjustment jig 165 is
introduced into the inside of a peripheral wall section 179
surrounding the adjustment elongated opening 136. The adjustment
jig 165 has a cylindrical-shaped distal end and an adjustment pin
receiving hole 166 on its end face at a position offset from the
center axis of the cylinder. The adjustment pin 137 is fitted into
the adjustment pin receiving hole 166 and the adjustment jig 165
is rotated about its own axis, that is, about the adjustment pin
137 as the center of rotation. As a result hereof, the outer
periphery of the adjustment jig 165 thrusts the inner wall of the
peripheral wall section 179 for shifting the head arm 128 in the
fore and_aft direction along. the longitudinal direction of the
elongated adjustment opening 136. When the head arm 128 is at an
optimum position in the fore and aft direction, the set screw 134
is tightened for completing the position adjustment of the head arm
128 in the fore and aft direction.
The head supporting base member 135 may be adjusted in its
position in the left and right direction as shown by an arrow F in
Fig. 4 with respect to the connecting arm 121. The head supporting
base member 135 is thrust by the torsion coil spring 132 towards
its opposite lateral side along the axis of the supporting shaft
36
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
y
_ i : t'
123. An adjustment screw ring 133 fitted over the supporting shaft
123 is provided on the opposite lateral side of the head supporting
base member 135 so as to be abutted against the head supporting
base member 135. The adjustment screw ring 133 is
cylindrical-shaped and fitted on the supporting shaft 123. The
screw ring 133 has screw threads on its outer peripheral surface
by which it is.engaged with the supporting lug 122. When the
'adjustment screw ring 133 is rotated for changing the amount of
threaded engagement thereof with the supporting lug 122, the screw
ring 133 is moved along the axis of the supporting shaft 123, that
is. in the left and right direction, because the head supporting
base member 135 is biased by the torsion coli spring 133 into
thrusting engagement with the adjustment screw ring 133. When the
head supporting base member 135 is at an optimum position in the
left and right direction, the adjustment screw ring 133 is halted
for completing the adjustment of the head supporting base member
135 in the left and right direction.
[Constitution of the Disc Cartridge Loading Unit (2)]
A loading motor 185 and a plurality of transmission gears, not
shown, are provided on the lateral side plate section 13, as shown
in Fig. 7. A driving pulley 86 is mounted on a driving shaft of
the loading motor 185. An endless driving belt 87 is placed
~~ between the driving pulley 86 and a driven pulley 88 rotatable
mounted via an arbor 94 on the lateral side plate section 13. A
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CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
first transmission gear 89 is mounted coaxially and as one with the
driven pulley 88. The first transmission gear 88 is engaged with
a second transmission gear 90 which is rotatable mounted on the
lateral side plate section 13 via an arbor 95 and which has the
number of teeth more than that of the first transmission gear 89.
A third transmission gear 91 having the number of teeth less than
that of the second transmission gear 90 is mounted coaxially and
as one with the second transmission gear 90. The third
transmission gear 91 is engaged with a fourth transmission gear 92
which is rotatable mounted on the lateral side plate section 13 via
an~arbor 96 and which has the number of teeth more than that of the
third transmission gear 91. A fifth transmission gear 93 having
the number~of teeth less than that of the fourth transmission gear
92 is mounted coaxially and as one with the fourth transmission
gear 92.
The fifth transmission gear 93 meshes with teeth formed on the
outer rim of a cam gear 97 rotatable mounted via an arbor 167 on
the lateral side plate section 13. The teeth of the cam gear 97
are engaged with a rack gear 76 of the lateral side cam plate 27
which is moved in the fore and aft direction by the driving force
of the loading motor 185 as indicated by arrows Z and Y in Fig. 7.
A first connection gear 111 rotatable supported by the lateral
side plate section 13 via an arbor 112 is engaged with the rack
gear 76 of the cam plate 27. The first connection gear 111 is
engaged with a second connecting gear 113 rotatable supported by
the lateral side plate section 13 via an arbor 114. The connecting
38
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
shaft 114 is rotatable supported by spanning the space between the
plate sections 13 and 14, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. A third
connecting gear 115 is mounted in the vicinity of the opposite
lateral side plate section 14 of the connecting plate 114. The
third connection gear 115 is engaged with a fourth connecting gear
116 rotatable supported by the lateral side plate section 14 via
an arbor 117. The fourth connecting gear 116 is engaged with the
rack gear~76 of the opposite lateral side cam plate 28. The cam
plates 27, 28 are moved by the loading motor 185 at the same speed
and in the same direction in synchronism with each other.
The cam gear 97 is formed with a cam groove 98 as surrounding
the arbor 167. First and second actuating protrusions 99, 100 are
formed in the vicinity of the outer rim of the major surface of the
cam gear 97.
. The cam groove 98 of the cam gear 98 surrounds the vicinity
of the arbor 167 and describes a cam profile spaced apart from the
arbor 167 over only a limited angular extent. The cam groove 98
is engaged by a profiling pin X05 provided at the rear end of a lid
opening/closing arm 104. The lid opening/closing arm 104 has its
mid portion rotatable supported by a pivot 103 relative to the
lateral plate section 13, while having its distal end protruded
forwardly from the forward end of the floating chassis 12. The
distal end portion of the lid opening/closing arm 104 acts.as a lid
opening/closing section 106.
With rotation of the cam gear 97, the lid opening/closing arm
104 has its profiling pin 105 engaged with the area of the cam
39
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
groove 98 spaced apart from the pivot 167, as shown in Figs. 28 to
30. At this time, the lid opening/closing arm 104 is rotated in
a direction of shifting the lid opening/closing section 106
downwards, as indicated by an arrow N in Fig. 29.
The lid 104 is rotatable supported by a pivot 160 relative to
the front panel section 2. With the pivot 160 being arranged for.
extending along the upper edge of the lid 4, the lid 4 may be
rotated in a direction in which the lower edge of the lid 4 is
moved towards the inner side of the outer casing 1 as indicated by
an arrow O in Fig. 29. Such rotation of the lid 4 results in the
disc cartridge inserting slit 3 being opened.. The lid 4 is
rotationally biased by a torsion coil spring, not shown, in a
direction of shifting its lower edge downwards. In the initial
state, the lid 4 is maintained in the closed state with its rim
abutting against the vicinity of the rim of the disc cartridge
inserting slit 3. An operating rod 159 constituting a lid
opening/closing lever is mounted as one with a lateral side of the
lid 4.
A transmission arm 162 constituting the lid opening/closing
arm is rotatable mounted via a pivot 161 on the inner wall section
of the front panel section 2. The transmission arm 162 is
supported at its mid portion. In the initial state, the
transmission arm 162 has a forward end transmission pin 164
positioned ahead of the actuating rod 159, while having a rear end
portion 163 positioned below the lid opening section 106 of the lid
opening/closing arm 104. When the opening/closing arm 104 is
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
rotated in the direction of lowering the lid opening section 106,
the lid opening section 106 thrusts a lug 163 of the transmission
arm 162 downwards for rotating the transmission arm 162, as shown
in Fig. 29. As a result thereof, the actuating rod 159 is thrust
from the forward side by the transmission pin 164 for opening the
lid 4.
When the disc cartridge 201, 221 is introduced into the slit
3, the lid 4 is thrust by the disc cartridge 201 or 221 so as to
be.opened towards the inner side of the outer casing 1, as shown
in Fig. 28. When the loading operation for the disc cartridge 201
or 221 is started, the lid 4 starts to be opened by the lid
opening/closing arm 104 and the transmission arm 162, so that the
lid 4 is prevented form being slidingly contacted with the disc
cartridge 201 or 221, as will be explained subsequently.
A detection switch 101 is mounted on the lateral side plate
section 13 in the vicinity of the' cam gear 97. The detection
switch 101 has a detection lever 102 rotatable mounted on its
proximal end. In its initial state, the detection lever 102 is
positioned at a mid position by a ring, not shown, enclosed within
the inside of the detection switch 101. The detection switch 101
outputs detection signals for discrimination between the state in
which the detection lever 102 has been rotated in one direction and
the state in which the detection lever 102 has been rotated in the
opposite direction. With the detection switch 101, the distal end
25'_ of the detection lever 102 is intruded in the locus of movement of
the first and second protrusions 99, 100 produced by the rotation
41
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
of the cam gear 97. When the cam gear 97 is rotated clockwise in
Fig. 7 to assume a pre-set angular position, the detection switch
101 is rotated in one direction by being thrust by the first
actuating protrusion 99. Besides, when the cam gear 97 is rotated
counterclockwise in Fig. 7 to assume a pre-set angular position,
the detection switch 101 is.rotated in the opposite direction by
being thrust by the first actuating protrusion 100.
A guide visor 171 is mounted as one with the front panel 2 on
the lower edge of the inserting slit 3 for extending from the one
end towards the other end of the inserting slit 3. The upper
surface of the guide visor 171 is formed with paired left and right
guide ribs 172 extending in the fore and aft direction. The guide
visor 171 is, adapted for assuring sliding supporting contact with
the bottom surface of the disc cartridge 201 or 221 which is
intruded into and discharged out of the inserting slit 3.
[Disc Cartridge Loading Operation]
In the above-described disc recorder, the operation of loading
the disc cartridge 201 or 221 into the disc driving block 147 is
performed~in the following manner. First, as shown in Figs. 6 to
8, the cam plates 27 and 28 are brought to the foremost initial
position. At this time, the foremost side supporting pins 32, 34
are positioned at the rear ends of the forward side cam grooves 73
and at the foremost parts of the third supporting slits 80, 83.
The rear side supporting pins 33, 35 are positioned at the rear
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ends of the rear cam grooves 74 at the mid parts of the second
supporting slits 81, 84. The actuating pin 45 is thrust and
supported by the rear end of the engaging opening 75 for
positioning the slide plate 31 at the forward side of the engaging
opening 75. Thus the stop arm 68 has its stop shoulder 169
retained by the forward end of -the stop wall section 85 for
inhibiting rearward movement of the loading plate 29. The stop arm
68 has its abutment lug 69 abutted and supported on the abutment
portion 65 of the insertion detection arm 62 so as to be thereby
prevented- from being rotated inwards. On the other hand, the
lifting arm 119 has its profiling pin 120 supported by the head
actuating cam groove 109 for holding the magnetic head 143 at its
raised position, with the mating operating portion 126 being thrust
and~supported by the actuating pin 154.
In the initial position, the detection switch 101 has its
detection lever rotated in the opposite direction by the second
actuating protrusion 100, as shown in Fig. 7.
When the disc cartridge 201, 221 is inserted into the
inserting slit 3, the disc cartridge 201, 221 thrusts the lid 4
inwards for opening the lid so that the distal end of the disc
cartridge is introduced into the inside of the cartridge holder 30.
At this time, the disc cartridge 201 or 221 has its side fitted
with the shutter member 210 or 230 in register with the opposite
lateral side of the cartridge holder 30:
- The disc cartridge 201 or 221 is introduced into the inside
of the cartridge holder 30, as its mistaken insertion inhibiting
43
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
protrusion 180 is intruded into the mistaken insertion inhibiting
groove 220. The disc cartridge 201 or 221 thrusts the abutment pin
170 by its front side for rotating the insertion detection arm 62
rearward against~the bias of the torsion coil spring 67, as shown
in Fig. 9. The stop arm 68 is released from abutment on the
abutment protrusion 69 by the abutment portion 65 and is free to
be,rotated inwards. At this time, the front end of the cartridge
main body 202 or 222 is caused to bear against the forward edge of
the mating thrusting part 47 of the slide plate 31.
When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is introduced inwardly. of
the outer casing 1, the cam plates 27, 28 are rotated slightly
rearward by the actuating pin 45 of the slide plate 31 thrusting
the rear end of the engaging opening 75. This causes the cam gear
97 to be rotated clockwise in Fig. 7 to release the thrust so far
exerted by the second actuating protrusion 100 on the detection
lever 102 to set the detection lever 102 to its center position.
When the detection lever 102 of the detection switch 101 is at the
mid position, the loading motor 185 starts its driving operation,
by a controlling circuit, not shown, in a direction of shifting the
cam plates rearward as indicated by the arrow Y in Fig. 7.
The shutter opening pawl 173 is intruded into the groove 209
of the. cartridge main body 202 or 222 so as to be abutted on the
distal end of a lug 212. The shutter closing pawl 56 is intruded
into the engaging opening 211.
When the loading motor 185 starts to be driven for shifting
the cam plates 27, ,28 rearward, the slide plate 31 is moved
44
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
rearward as indicated by an arrow U in Fig. 10 so as to follow up
with the cam plates 27, 28, as shown in Figs. 10 to 12. The
loading plate 29 is biased forwards relative to the slide plate 31
under the-bias of the tension coil spring 49 and hence is not moved
rearward. That is, the cam plates 27, 28 and the slide plate 31
are moved rearward, with the loading plate 29 remaining stationary
relative to the floating chassis. Consequently, the forward side
cam groove 73 is moved rearward, with the forward side supporting
pins 32, 34 remaining at the forward ends of the third supporting
slits 80, 83. On the other hand, the rear side groove 74 is moved
rearward, with the rear side supporting pins 33; 35 remaining at
the mid parts of the second supporting slits 81, 84.
The actuating pin 45 remains thrust against the rear end of
the engaging opening 75 under the bias of the tension coil spring
49. As the slider plate 31 is moved rearward, the stop arm 68 is
rotated towards the inner side of the stop wall section 85, wit the
stop shoulder 169 being kept in sliding contact with the foremost
end of the stop wall section 169. With the rotation towards the
inner side of the stop arm 68, the latter has its engaging
protrusion 70 engaged in an engaging recess 218 of the cartridge
main body 202 or 222. On the other hand, the shutter member 210
or 230 is retained at a position in which the distal end of the lug
212 is abutted against the shutter opening pawl 173, with the
aperture 207 being opened with the movement towards rear of the
cartridge main body 202 or 222.
Meanwhile, the head lifting arm 119 has its profiling pin 120
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
still supported in the head actuating groove 109 and thrusts the
mating operating portion 126 by the actuating pin 154 for holding
the magnetic head 143 at an elevated position.
The slide plate 31 is moved under the bias of the torsion coil
spring 49 to a position in which the forward end face of the
cartridge main body 202 or 222 is abutted against the positioning
wall section 61, that is to a position in which the mating
thrusting.member 47 is flush with the positioning wall section 61,
in a manner of following the movement of the cam plates 27, 28.
At this time, the cam grooves 73, 74 are at the position in which
the supporting pins 32 to 35 are passed through. the connecting
point between the horizontal section and the inclined section at
the rear side, that is the rear end of the inclined section, as
shown in Fig. 11. The relative position between the disc cartridge
201 or 221 and the slide plate 31 is maintained at this time by the
engaging projection 70 of the stop arm 68 being engaged in the
engaging recess 218 of the cartridge main body 202 or 222.
When the cam plates 27, 28 are moved rearward by the loading
motor 185, the loading plate 29 is moved rearward, as shown in
Figs. 13 to 15, while the.relative position between the slide plate
31 and the loading plate 29 is maintained, that is, the cam plates
27, 28 are moved towards rear while the supporting pins 32 to 35
remain introduced through the connecting point between the rear
horizontal section and the inclined section of each of the cam
grooves 73, 74. The relative position between the loading plate
29 and the slide plate 31 is maintained under the bias of the
46
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
tension coil spring 49. The supporting pins 32 to 35 are moved up
to the rear ends of the second and third supporting slits 80 to 84
along with the loading plate 29. The disc cartridge 201 or 221 is
transported at this time in the horizontal direction from the upper
forward,position of the disc drive block 147 shown in Fig. 22 to
the position directly overlying the disc drive block i47 shown in
Fig. 23. The disc cartridge 201 or 221 is intruded at this time
into a space above the optical pickup unit 148 and below the
magnetic head 143, that is a space between the optical pickup unit
148 and the magnetic head 143.
During the time when the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is
transported in this manner in the horizontal direction, the
profiling pin 105 of the lid opening/closing arm 104 is moved
through a domain spaced apart from the pivot 167 of the cam groove
98, as shown in Fig. 29. This causes the opening/closing arm 104
to open the lid 4 via the transmission arm 162.
Meanwhile, the distance by which the floating chassis 12 may
be moved in a direction of tensioning the damper 19 is limited by
the damper 19. The reason is that, if the floating chassis 12 is
moved upwards by more than a pre-set distance, there arises the
risk that, even if the arm 104 is rotated by the cam gear 97, the
lid opening/closing arm 104 is unable to open the lid 4. That is,
the distance by which the floating chassis 12 may be moved upwards
is set to a value only barely sufficient to open the lid 4 reliably
when "'the floating chassis 12 is moved upwards to the maximum extent
possible.
47
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
When the cam plates 27, 28 are moved further rearward by the
loading_motor 185, the ldading plate 29 is moved downwards, that
is in a direction of approaching the disc drive block 147, while
the relative position between the loading plate and the slide plate
31 is maintained, as shown in Figs. 16 to 18. At this time, since
the supporting pins 32 to 35 are positioned at the rear ends of the
supporting pins 80 to 84, the loading plate 29 cannot be moved
further rearward. The result is that, if the cam plates 27, 28
are moved rearward, the supporting pins 32 to 35 are positioned at
the points of intersection between the inclined sections of the
cam grooves 73, 74 and the downwardly bent rear end portions of the
second and third supporting slits 80, 81, 83, 84, so that the
loading plate 29 is moved downwards. At this time, the actuating
pin 45 is positioned halfway in the engaging opening 75. The disc
cartridge 201 or 221 is loaded on the base block 130 of the disc
drive block 147 in position by the positioning pins 156, 157, as
shown in Figs. 24 to 27. At this time, the magneto-optical disc
203 or the optical disc 223 is set and loaded on the disc table
149. The loading plate 29 thrusts and supports the disc cartridge
201 or 221 on the base block 130.
When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is loaded on the base block
130, the completion of loading of the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is
detected by the detection switch mounted on the base block 130.
When the-completion of loading of the disc.cartridge 201 or 221 is
_ . _ :
~ detected, the loading motor 185 is halted by the operation of the
controlling circuit.
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CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
In this state, the information signals may be read by the
optical pickup unit 148 from the magneto-optical disc 203 or the
optical disc 223 by the optical pickup unit 148. That is, the
playback mode may now be executed. The playback mode is executed
on thrusting the playback button 8, whereby the magneto-optical
disc 203 or the optical disc 223 as set on the disc table 149 is
rotated by the spindle motor for reading out the information
signals by the optical pickup unit 148.
If 'the recording . button 10 is thrust for instructing the
execution of the recording mode, the loading motor 185 causes the
cam plates 27, 28 to be moved further rearward. The cam plates
27, 28 cause the supporting pins 32 to 35 to be moved to the
positions at the foremost part of the forward horizontal sections
of 'the cam grooves 73 and 74, as shown in Figs . 19 to 21. The
detection switch 101 is rotated in one direction by the detection
rod 102 being thrust by the first actuating protrusion 99, as shown
in Fig. 20. With such rotation of the detection rod 102, the
loading motor 185 is halted by the controlling circuit.
The head lifting arm 119 is rotated at this time in a
direction shown by an arrow R in Fig. 25 by the profiling pin 120
being intruded into the head actuating section 110, as shown in
Fig. 21. The result is that the thrusting support of the mating
operating portion 126 by the operating pin 154 is released to
permit the magnetic head 143 to be moved downwards. The head arm
128 is rotated under the bias of the torsion coil spring 132 as far
as a position in which the abutment portion 127 is abutted against
49
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
the height reference 129. By such rotation of the head arm 128,
the magnetic head 143 is brought into sliding contact with the
magneto-optical disc 203 as loaded on the disc table 149. The
magnetic head 143 is brought at this time into sliding contact with
the.major surface of the magneto-optical head 203 under a pre-set
pressure under the resiliency of the gimbal spring~203, as shown
by an arrow J in Fig. 25.
In this state, the recording mode may be executed, that is,
information signals may be written by the optical pickup unit 148
and the magnetic head 143 on the magneto-optical disc 203. The
recording mode is executed by the magneto-optical disc 203 as set
on the disc table 149 being rotated by the spindle motor to permit
the information signals to be written thereon by the optical pickup
unit 148 and the magnetic head 143.
If, during the playback mode or the recording mode, or during
the stop mode with the stop button 9 being actuated to halt the
operation of the spindle motor, the ejection button 5 is actuated,
the disc cartridge 201 or 221 3.s ejected outward via the inserting
slit 3.
That is, if the ejection button 5 is actuated, the loading
motor 185 is driven in the direction of driving the cam plates 27
and 28 in a forward direction as shown in Fig. 17 or as indicated
by the arrow Z in Fig. 20. If, after the execution of the
recording mode, the ejection button 5 is not actuated, the
profiling pin 120 of the head lifting arm 119 is returned into the
inside of the head actuating cam groove I09 by the forward movement
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
.
of the cam plates 27 and 28. By the actuating pin 154 thrusting
and supporting the mating operating portion 126, the magnetic head
143 is moved to an upper position in which the magnetic head 143
is spaced apart from the magneto-optical disc 203. By the forward
movement of the cam plates 27 and 28, the supporting pins 32 to 35
are positioned at the points of intersection between the inclined
sections of the cam grooves 73 and 74 and the rear downwards bends
of the second and third supporting slits 80, 81, 83, 84. As a
result thereof , the loading plate 29 is moved upwards away from the
head drive block 147. Consequently, the disc cartridge 201 or 221
is floated above the disc drive block 147; as shown in Fig. 23.
When the cam plates 27, 28 are moved further forwards by the
loading motor 185, the loading plate 29 is moved forwards while the
relative position thereof with respect to the slide plate 31 is
maintained, as shown in Figs. 10 to 12. That is, the cam plates
27, 28 are moved forwards with the supporting pins 32 to 35
remaining inserted in the connecting points between the rear
horizontal sections and the inclined sections of the cam grooves
73 and 74. The relative position between the loading plate 29 and
the slide plate 31 is maintained at this time under the bias of the
tension coil spring 49. The supporting pins 32 to 35 are moved,
along with the loading plate 29, as far as the foremost ends of the
second and third supporting pins 80, 81, 83 and 84. The disc
cartridge 201 or 221 is transported horizontally from the position
directly overlying the disc drive block-147, as shown in Fig. 23,
as far as the upper forward position of the disc drive block 147,
51
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
A ,
as shown in Fig. 22.
During the time when the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is
transported horizontally in the forward direction, the profiling
pin 105 is passed through a domain of the cam groove 98 which is
spaced apart from the pivot 168, as shown in Fig. 29. This causes
the lid opening/closing arm 104 to be opened via the transmission
arm 162. The lid 4 remains opened until the rear portion of the
cartridge main body 202 or 222 is protruded via the inserting slit
3 towards the front side of the front panel section 2 and thus is
prevented ,from being abutted against the rear portion of the
cartridge main body 202 or 222. After the rear.portion of the
cartridge~main body 202 or 222 is protruded towards the front side
of the front panel section 2, the lid 4 is kept opened by the
cartridge main body 202 or 222.
When the forward supporting pins 32, 34 reach the foremost.
parts of the third slits 80, 83 by the forward movement of the cam
plates 27, 28, as shown in Figs. l0 to 12, the loading plate 29 is
unable to be moved further forwards and thus is at a standstill.
The cam plates 27, 28 are moved further forwards to thrust the
operating pin 45 forwards by the rear edge of the engaging opening
75, as shown in Figs. 7 to 9, for shifting the slide plate 31
forwards against the bias of the tension coil spring 49, as
indicated by the arrow X in Fig. 9. That is, the cam plates 27
and 28 and the slide plate 31 are moved forwards, with the loading
plate 29 being kept in the halted state relative to the floating
chassis 12. Consequently, the forward cam groove 73 is moved
52
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
c , i
S
forwards, with the forward side supporting pins 32, 34 being
positioned at the forward ends of the third supporting slits 80 and
8 3 . On the other hand , the rear cam groove s 7 4 are moved f onwards ,
with the rear supporting pins 33 and 35 being positioned at the mid
part of the second supporting slits 81 and 84. _
By such forward movement of the slide plate 31, the disc
cartridge 201 or 221 is thrust by the mating thrusting member 47
so as to be detached from the positioning wall section 61 and moved
forwards relative to the cartridge holder 30.
By the slide plate 31 being moved forwards, the stop arm 68
is rotated outward, with the stop shoulder 169 being positioned
more forwardly than the forward end of the stop wall section 85,
as shown in Fig. 9. When rotated outward in this manner, the stop
arm 168 causes the stap shoulder 169 to be engaged with the
foremost part of the stop wall 85. The shutter member 210 or 230
is,kept at a position in which the shutter closing pawl 56 is
engaged in the engaging hole 211, with the aperture 207 being
closed with the forward movement of the cartridge main body 202 or
222.
When the cam plates 27, 28 are moved to the forward position,
as the initial position, the supporting pins 32 to 35 are
introduced into the rear ends of the cam grooves 73, 74, as shown
in Figs. 7 and 8. The detection switch 101 is rotated at this time
towards the opposite lateral side by the detection rod 102 being
25-. thrust by the second actuating protrusion 100. When the detection
rod 102 of the detection switch 101 is rotated in one direction,
53
CA 02365272 2002-O1-02
c
the loading motor 185 is stopped by the controlling circuit.
' When the disc cartridge .201 or 221 is taken out in the forward
direction, as shown in Fig. 6, the detection arm 62 is reset to its
initial position by being rotated under the bias of the torsion
coil spring 67. Simultaneously, the abutment protrusion 69 is
supported by the abutment portion 65 for inhibiting inward rotation
of the stop arm 68. When the disc cartridge 201 or 221 is to be
taken out forwards, the shutter closing pawl 56 causes the shutter
member 210 or 230 to be closed, after which the shutter closing
pawl 56 is rotated outward so as to be extricated from the engaging
opening 211.
54
