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United States Patent
5726828
Kakuta , ; et al.
March 10, 1998
Title
Automatic disc-changing apparatus, disc-chucking apparatus, disc apparatus and position-detecting apparatus
Abstract
An automatic disc-changing apparatus for selectively transporting cartridge holders from a standby position to a recording and reproducing position, or from a recording and reproducing position to a standby position. The cartridge holders are capable of accommodating a plurality of cartridges containing discs to record information thereon and thereby transport any single cartridge. The automatic disc-changing apparatus comprises a plurality of cartridge holders for holding the cartridges; a standby-holding mechanism for holding the cartridge holder in the standby position; a transport-holding mechanism for selectively engaging with the cartridge holder for transport; a transfer mechanism for moving the transport-holding mechanism horizontally to the front and rear of the apparatus; and an elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the transport-holding mechanism. This apparatus is compact, simple in configuration and convenient to use.
Inventors:
Kakuta; Yoshinori
(Nagaokakyo,
JP
)
, Sakuta; Akira
(Nagaokakyo,
JP
)
, Tomita; Masami
(Nagaokakyo,
JP
)
, Nakagawa; Kunihiko
(Nagaokakyo,
JP
)
Assignee:
Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
(Tokyo,
JP
)
Appl. No.:
522532
Filed:
September 5, 1995
Foreign Application Priority Data
Aug 19, 1992 [JP] 4-220158
Nov 13, 1992 [JP] 4-303648
Jan 20, 1993 [JP] 5-007283
Jan 27, 1993 [JP] 5-011573
Apr 12, 1993 [JP] 5-084533
Jun 01, 1993 [JP] 5-130616
Current U.S. Class:
360/98.01
360/98.04
369/30.66
369/30.7
Field of Search:
360/98.01,98.04,99.02,99.03,99.06,99.07,98.06,92 369/75.2,75.1,258,264,33,34,36,38,178,179,191,192,201,202 414/277,280
U.S. Patent Documents
4661868
April 1987
Tezuka
4710831
December 1987
Nishimura
5006940
April 1991
Hamachi et al.
5123000
June 1992
Fitzgerald et al.
5142523
August 1992
Kamashita
5148332
September 1992
Tomita et al.
5172360
December 1992
Decoster
5195078
March 1993
Ikedo et al.
5274516
December 1993
Kakuta et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
59-36365
Feb., 1984
JP
61-193560
Dec., 1986
JP
61-32246
Feb., 1986
JP
62-124662
Jun., 1987
JP
Primary Examiner:
Wolff; John H.
Assistant Examiner:
Ometz; David L.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/103,908 filed on Aug. 10, 1993, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic disc changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium from a standby position to selectively load a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above a disc player differing in vertical and horizontal position from said standby position, or selectively transporting the cartridge from said recording and reproducing position to said standby position, comprising:
a chassis;
a plurality of cartridge holders for holding each of said cartridges;
a standby-holding mechanism for holding said plurality of cartridge holders in said standby position so as to arrange said plurality of cartridge holders vertically, said standby-holding mechanism being immovably fixed to said chassis;
a transport-holding mechanism for selectively engaging with one of said cartridge holders;
a transfer mechanism for moving said transport-holding mechanism in a horizontal direction;
an elevator mechanism for moving said transport-holding mechanism in a vertical direction between a first position corresponding to the top cartridge holder of the vertically arranged cartridge holders and a second position corresponding to the bottom cartridge holder of the vertically arranged cartridge holders; and
a plurality of cartridge insertion ports corresponding respectively to said plurality of cartridge holders and being exposed to an outside of said apparatus, said cartridges being loaded into said plurality of cartridge holders by inserting said cartridges respectively into said plurality of cartridge insertion ports from the outside of said apparatus.
2. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein said elevator mechanism includes:
a first motor;
a first slide cain for moving horizontally between said standby position and said recording and reproducing position;
a first motion-transmitting mechanism for causing said first slide cam to move horizontally due to rotational driving power of said first motor; and
an elevating base for being engaged with said first slide cam and moving vertically in connection with said horizontal movement of said first slide cam.
3. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 2, wherein a pair of said first slide cams is arranged in parallel with each other and one of said pair of first slide cams is arranged on either side of the player;
each of said first slide cams including a vertical plane portion and a flange portion projecting perpendicularly from said vertical plan portion, said flange portions having elongated slots in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said first slide cams;
said first motion-transmitting mechanism including a loading lever that receives said rotational driving power from said first motor and rotates a vertical shaft; and
said apparatus further comprising engaging pins implanted at either end of said loading lever engaging, respectively, with said elongated slots in said flange portions.
4. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:
a clamping lever for clamping said cartridge to said player; and
a second slide cam for moving horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of said transfer mechanism in response to the rotation of said loading lever.
5. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second slide cam has a second cam hole, said second cam hole having a horizontal portion which is narrow at width and elongated horizontally and a circular portion which has a diameter greater than the width of said horizontal portion;
the automatic disc-changing apparatus further comprising:
support pins provided on said player for supporting said player;
resilient vibration-dampening members which resiliently hold said support pins with respect to said chassis; and
springs from which said support pins are suspended to said chassis; and
changing a state of said player between a fixed state in which said support pins are in said horizontal portion of said second slide cam and a floating state in which said support pins are in said circular portion of said second slide cam, by the motion of said second slide cam.
6. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 5,
wherein said second slide cam is provided with a freely rotating hook for securing one of said supporting pins when said player is in said fixed state, and for separating from said one of said supporting pins when said player is in said floating state.
7. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a floating arm capable of engaging with said second slide cam,
wherein said floating arm rotates in connection with movement of said first motion-transmitting mechanism and said second slide cam moves horizontally in connection with the rotation of said floating arm.
8. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said standby-holding mechanism and said cartridge holders are so configured to position surfaces used for affixing labels on said cartridges loaded in said standby position in virtually the same plane as a front panel surface of the apparatus.
9. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 3, wherein said vertical plane portion includes a plurality of cam holes for engaging with pins on said elevating base,
said pair of first slide cams being moved in opposite directions to each other, simultaneously, by rotation of said loading lever, the rotation of said loading lever providing either an ascension or descension of the elevating base as the engaging pins of the loading lever are engaged with said flange portions, and the pins of the elevating base are engaged with said plurality of cam holes.
10. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
a plurality of protruding members mounted on said first slide cams,
a plurality of switches for detecting vertical position of the elevating base by being in contact with said protruding members; and
a controller for controlling operation of said player according to signals received from said switches.
11. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said transfer mechanism includes:
a second motor;
a loading gear supported so as to rotate freely on said elevating base;
a second motion-transmitting mechanism for causing said loading gear to rotate by rotational driving power of said second motor;
a transporter mounted slidably on said elevating base and holding said transport-holding mechanism; and
engaging pins implanted in said loading gear for engaging with cam holes formed in said transporter and being able to establish butt contact through said cam holes with said transport-holding mechanism, for rotating said loading gear and thereby effecting the hold action and release action of said cartridge holder as well as the horizontal movement of said transporter.
12. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 11,
wherein said second motion-transmitting mechanism includes a cylindrical gear having a vertical axis of rotation and being engaged with said loading gear; and
an effective circumference of said cylindrical gear is greater than a range of vertical motion of said elevating base.
13. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:
a rack meshing with said cylindrical gear and moving horizontally as a result of the rotation of said cylindrical gear;
a film pattern provided on said rack;
an optical switch fixed in a prescribed position opposite to said film pattern; and
a circuit for sensing the angle of rotation of said loading gear on the basis of results detected by said optical switch.
14. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 11,
wherein the configuration of said cam hole of said transporter engaged by said engaging pin of said loading gear is Y-shaped; and
said Y-shaped cam hole further including a linear portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of horizontal movement of said transporter and two arcuate portions separating into two branches from one end of said linear portion.
15. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 14, wherein when the loading gear rotates, said engaging pin of the loading gear moves through said linear portion and two arcuate portions of the Y-shaped cam hole to provide said horizontal movement of the transporter.
16. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the movement of said engaging pin of the loading gear within said linear portion of the Y-shaped cam hole moves said transporter horizontally.
17. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of said cartridge holders includes an engagement arm which engages with said standby-holding mechanism,
said engagement arm having an engagement hole which is engaged by one of said engaging pins of said transport-holding mechanism.
18. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 11, wherein said transport-holding mechanism includes:
a pair of chucking arms connected by a spring member and being freely movable horizontally, each chucking arm having a plurality of contact pins for pressing against the cartridge holder;
a plurality of slot portions formed on said chucking arms for receiving a plurality of engaging pins mounted on said transporter of the transfer mechanism; and
a lever member being rotatable and connecting said pair of chucking arms and said transporter.
19. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
a plate for pressing on said player in connection with the movement of said first slide cam.
20. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
a cartridge-clamping stopper mounted rotatably on a side surface of said player; and
a clamping cam mechanism which imparts rotary motion to said clamping stopper, so that when said cartridge holder is placed on said player, said cartridge holder is clamped to said player by said clamping stopper.
21. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein tapers are formed at a top and a bottom portion of the rear of each of said cartridge holders.
22. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein each of said cartridge holders includes an eject lever for ejecting said cartridges loaded in said standby position.
23. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein said elevator mechanism comprises:
an elevator motor;
a pantograph mechanism;
a cam mechanism which activates said pantograph mechanism in response to rotary motion of said elevator motor.
24. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 23,
wherein said transfer mechanism comprises:
a transfer motor;
a loading gear supported so as to rotate freely on an elevator base;
a fourth motion-transmitting mechanism which causes said loading gear to rotate by means of rotary driving power of said transfer motor; and
a transporter which is slidably mounted on said elevator base and holds said transport holding mechanism; and
engaging pins implanted in said loading gear are engaged with a first cam hole formed in said transporter and at the same time a cam hole formed in said transport holding mechanism, thereby causing said loading gear to rotate and thereby, by means of said transport holding mechanism, effecting hold action and release action of said cartridge holder as well as horizontal motion of said transporter.
25. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 24, wherein said transporter has a second cam hole elongated in the direction of horizontal motion of said transporter;
said second cam hole extends in the direction of horizontal motion of said transporter, and having two linear portions aligned on an identical line and a curvilinear portion connecting said two linear portions;
said transport holding mechanism comprises a chucking base held so as to be capable of sliding motion horizontally with respect to said transporter; and a chucking arm rotatably supported on said chucking base so as to hold and release said cartridge holder;
an engaging pin provided on said chucking arm is engaged with said second cam hole of said transporter;
said chucking base has a third cam hole which is engaged with an engaging pin implanted in said loading gear; and
hold and release actions of said cartridge holder by said chucking arm are effected in linkage with the rotation of said loading gear.
26. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 25,
wherein said cartridge holder comprises a positioning spring which engages with a groove formed in said cartridge; and
said chucking arm comprises a pressing portion which presses against said positioning spring.
27. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a duplicate insertion prevention plate, which is rotatable around a horizontal shaft at the top of each of said insertion ports, for being approximately horizontal and in butt contact with an upper surface of a respective said cartridge holder when said cartridge holder is loaded into said standby-holding mechanism, and for being approximately vertical when said cartridge holder is separated by said transfer mechanism from said standby-holding mechanism; and
a regulating member for regulating the range of motion of said duplicate insertion prevention plate by establishing butt contact with said duplicate insertion prevention plate.
28. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a display for displaying information recorded on said disc-type information recording medium;
audio signal storage circuitry for storing audio signal information on said disc-type information recording medium being reproduced; and
a control circuit controlling said display, said audio signal storage circuitry, said transfer mechanism and said elevator mechanism,
said control circuit controlling said transfer and elevator mechanisms to temporarily return the cartridge currently being reproduced to said standby position, when a new cartridge is loaded into another said cartridge holder for reproduction,
said control circuit controlling said audio signal storage circuitry to continuously reproduce the audio signal information of said cartridge,
said control circuit controlling said transfer and elevator mechanism to transport said new cartridge to the recording and reproducing position, and read and display the information recorded on said disc-type information recording medium of said new cartridge, and then returning said new cartridge to said standby position,
said control circuit controlling said transfer and elevator mechanisms to return and continuously reproduce said cartridge first being reproduced in the recording and reproducing position.
29. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 28,
wherein when there is no cartridge loaded in said cartridge holder, said control circuit displays on said display a message indicating that no cartridge is loaded in said cartridge holder.
30. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 28, wherein from the time a cartridge is newly loaded into said cartridge holder up until the time the information of said newly loaded cartridge is read and displayed, said control circuit displays on said display a message indicating that one of said cartridges is newly loaded.
31. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 28,
further comprising indicator lamps corresponding to said cartridge holders,
wherein said indicator lamp blinks from the time said control circuit selects reproduction of any one of said cartridges up until the time said selected cartridge is placed in the recording and reproducing position.
32. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said standby-holding mechanism includes:
a holder having a plurality of detecting rods mounted on a chassis, said detecting rods being movable in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal direction of said transfer mechanism in response to loading or unloading of said cartridges; and
a plurality of cartridge detecting switches for indicating the loading or unloading of said cartridges as said plurality of cartridge detecting switches achieve butt contact with corresponding said plurality of detecting rods.
33. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elevator mechanism includes:
a pair of first slide cams, each having a plurality of cam holes and being movable horizontally;
a loading lever; and
an elevating base for moving vertically said cartridges,
wherein said pair of first slide cams is moved horizontally by rotation of said loading lever and said elevating base is moved vertically by said horizontal movement of said first cams.
34. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 33, wherein said first slide cams are moved in opposite directions to each other, simultaneously, by the rotation of said loading lever to provide said vertical movement of said elevating base.
35. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 34, wherein said elevating base includes a plurality of engaging pins for engaging with said plurality of cam holes of said first slide cams, and each of said first slide cams further includes a flange portion for engaging with one of lever pins mounted on said loading lever,
whereby the rotation of said loading lever in one direction provides either ascension or descension of said elevating base due to the engagement of said lever pins with said flange portions, and the engagement of said engaging pins with said plurality of cam holes.
36. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:
a plurality of protruding members mounted on said first slide cams,
a plurality of switches for detecting vertical position of the elevating base by being in contact with said protruding members; and
a controller for controlling operation of said player according to signals received from said switches.
37. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transport-holding mechanism includes:
a pair of chucking arms connected by a spring member and being freely movable horizontally, each chucking arm having a plurality of contact pins for pressing against and holding the cartridge holder;
a plurality of slot portions formed on said chucking arms for receiving a plurality of engaging pins mounted on a transporter of the transfer mechanism, said transporter being movable horizontally to transport said cartridge holder of the transport-holding mechanism; and
a lever member being rotatable and connecting said pair of chucking arms and said transporter.
38. The automatic disc-changing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transfer mechanism includes:
a loading gear being rotatable and having engaging pins; and
a transporter for moving horizontally the cartridge holder of said transport-holding mechanism and having a Y-shaped cam hole for engaging with said engaging pin of the loading gear, said Y-shaped cam hole having a linear portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the horizontal movement of said transporter and two arcuate portions extending from said linear portion,
wherein when the loading gear rotates, said engaging pin of the loading gear moves through said linear portion and two arcuate portions of the Y-shaped cam hole, the movement of said engaging pin of the loading gear within said linear portion of the Y-shaped cam hole moving the transporter horizontally.
39. The automatic disc-charging apparatus of claim 38, further comprising:
a rack meshing with a cylindrical gear and moving horizontally as the cylindrical gear rotates;
a film pattern provided on said rack;
an optical switch fixed in a prescribed position opposite to said film pattern; and
a circuit for sensing the angle of rotation of said loading gear from detection by said optical switch.
40. A system for selectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium from a standby position to selectively load a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above disc player means, or selectively transporting the cartridge from said recording and reproducing position to said standby position, comprising:
a plurality of cartridge holding means for holding each of said cartridges so as to arrange the cartridges vertically;
transport-holding means for selectively engaging with one of said cartridge holding means to be transported;
transfer means for moving horizontally said transport-holding means;
elevator means for moving vertically said transport-holding means between a first position corresponding to the top cartridge of the vertically arranged cartridges and a second position corresponding to the bottom cartridge of the vertically arranged cartridges; and
a plurality of cartridge insertion port means corresponding respectively to said plurality of cartridge holding means and being exposed to an outside of said system, said cartridges being loaded into said plurality of cartridge holding means by inserting said cartridges respectively into said plurality of cartridge insertion port means from the outside of said system.
41. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, further comprising:
a plurality of contact means mounted on a chassis for being movable in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal movement of said transfer means according to loading or unloading of said cartridges; and
a plurality of cartridge detection means for indicating the loading or unloading of said cartridges when said plurality of contact means achieve butt contact with corresponding said plurality of cartridge detection means.
42. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, wherein said elevator means includes:
a pair of first sliding means, each having a plurality of sliding holes and being movable horizontally;
loading lever means for providing rotational movement; and
elevating base means for moving vertically said cartridges,
wherein said pair of first sliding means is moved horizontally by the rotational movement of the loading lever means and said elevating base means is moved vertically by said horizontal movement of said first sliding means.
43. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 42, wherein said first sliding means are moved in opposite directions to each other, simultaneously, by the rotational movement of the loading lever means to provide said vertical movement of said elevating base means.
44. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 43, wherein said elevating base means includes a plurality of engagement pins for engaging with said plurality of sliding holes, and each of said first sliding means further includes a flange portion for engaging with one of lever pins mounted on said loading lever means,
whereby the direction of the rotational movement of said loading lever means determines either an ascension or descension of the elevating base means due to the engagement of said lever pins with said flange portions, and the engagement of said engagement pins with said plurality of sliding holes.
45. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 42, further comprising:
a plurality of protruding means mounted on said first slide means,
a plurality of switch means for detecting the vertical position of the elevating base means by being in contact with said protruding means; and
control means for controlling operation of said player means according to signals received from said switch means.
46. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 42, further comprising:
clamping loading lever means for clamping said cartridge to said player means; and
second sliding means for moving horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of said transfer means in response to the rotational movement of said loading lever means.
47. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 46, wherein said second sliding means includes a cam hole having a horizontal portion which is narrow in width and elongated horizontally, and a circular portion which has a diameter greater than the width of said horizontal portion.
48. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 47, further comprising:
supporting pins provided on said player means for supporting said player means;
resilient vibration-damping means for resiliently holding said support pins with respect to chassis means; and
spring means from which said support pins are suspended to said chassis means,
wherein a state of said player means is changed between a fixed state of having said support pins in said horizontal portion of said second sliding means, and a floating state of having said support pins in said circular portion of said second sliding means, by the horizontal movement of said second sliding means.
49. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 48, further comprising:
freely rotating hook means for securing said support pins when said player means is in said fixed state, and for separating from said supporting pins when said player means is in said floating state; and
floating arm means for engaging with said second sliding means and rotating in connection with the horizontal movement of said first sliding means, said second sliding means moving horizontally in connection with the rotation of said floating arm means.
50. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, wherein said transfer means includes:
loading gear means being rotatable and having an engaging pin; and
transporter means for moving horizontally the cartridge holding means and having slot means, said engaging pin of the loading gear means engaging with said slot means and being capable of establishing butt contact with said transport-holding means through said slot means, so as control hold and release action of said cartridge holding means as well as the horizontal movement of said transporter means.
51. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 50, wherein the configuration of said slot means of the transporter means is Y-shaped, said Y-shaped slot means having a linear portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal movement of said transporter means and two arcuate portions extending from said linear portion.
52. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 51, wherein when the loading gear means rotates, said engaging pin of the loading gear means moves through said linear portion and two arcuate portions of the Y-shaped slot means, the movement of said engaging pin of the loading gear means within said linear portion of the Y-shaped slot means moving the transporter means horizontally.
53. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 50, further comprising:
rack means for meshing with cylindrical gear means and moving horizontally as the cylindrical gear means rotates;
film means provided on said rack for having a pattern thereon;
optical switch means for being fixed in a prescribed position opposite to said film means; and
sensing means for sensing the angle of rotation of said loading gear means from detection by said optical switch means.
54. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, wherein said transport-holding means includes:
a pair of arm means connected by a spring member and being freely movable horizontally, each arm means having a plurality of contact pins for pressing against and holding said cartridge holding means;
a plurality of slot means formed on said arm means for receiving a plurality of engaging pins mounted on said transfer means, said transfer means having transporter means being movable horizontally to transport said cartridge holding means of the transport-holding means; and
a lever member being rotatable and connecting said pair of arm means and said transporter means.
55. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, further comprising:
duplicate insertion prevention plate means, which is rotatable around a horizontal shaft at the top of each of said insertion port means, for being approximately horizontal and in butt contact with an upper surface of said cartridge holding means when said cartridge holding means is loaded, and for being approximately vertical when said cartridge holding means is moved by said transfer means; and
regulating means for regulating the range of motion of said duplicate insertion prevention plate means by establishing butt contact with said duplicate insertion prevention plate means.
56. The system for selectively transporting a cartridge of claim 40, further comprising:
indicator means corresponding to each of said cartridge holding means for indicating the status of said cartridges;
display means for displaying information recorded on said disc-type information recording medium;
audio signal storage circuitry means for storing audio signal information on said disc-type information recording medium being reproduced; and
control means for controlling said display means, said audio signal storage circuitry means, and said cartridge holding means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus capable of accepting a plurality of cartridges each containing a recording medium in the form of disc, wherein there is a compact automatic disc-changing apparatus capable of freely changing the cartridge that is loaded onto the turntable.
The present invention further relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus using an audio, video or other recording medium in the form of disc, wherein there is a disc-chucking apparatus for holding the disc stationary in the recording and reproducing apparatus.
The present invention further relates a position-detecting apparatus applied to sensing the operating mode of the mechanism in a recording and reproducing apparatus for audio or video discs, video tape, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 88 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure and operation of a conventional automatic disc-changing apparatus as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication 36365/1984 (Shown 59-36365). The significance of the symbols used in FIG. 88 is as given in FIG. 98.
In FIG. 98, "fixed" refers to a state in which two members do not move with relation each other, "engaged" refers to a state in which two members are mounted with an interrelationship between them (the two members are not fixed), "immovable" refers to a state in which the member is fixed with respect to chassis; and "butt contact" refers to a state in which the end of one member is touching against another member.
As is shown in FIG. 88, a conventional automatic disc-changing apparatus has as its principle constituents a player 1 supported on a chassis 5; a magazine rack 3 that accommodates compact discs resting on support pans 28; an elevator 2 that is capable of vertical travel along guide rails 14a, 14b and 14c and accommodates the magazine rack 3; and a carrier 4 mounted at the rear place of the player 1 and the elevator 2 (the upper left-hand portion in FIG. 88) but in this figure shown in the upper portion and causing movement of the compact discs in the magazine rack 3, together with support pan 28.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 88 moves in the following manner. The user first places compact discs on a plurality of support pans 28 (of which only one is shown in the figure), inserts the support pans 28 into a shelf-like structure 27 in the magazine rack 3, and inserts the magazine rack 3 into the elevator 2.
Then, by causing a rotating shaft 57 of a motor 56 to rotate, rollers 54 and 55, over which a belt 58 has been passed, also rotate, thereby rotating screw rods 52 and 53 which are fixed to them, and raising an elevating frame 8 which has threaded holes 50 and 51, into which the rods 52 and 53 screw. At this time the upper edge 8a of the elevating frame 8 makes butt contact with an arm 9a supporting a pressure ring 9, causing the pressure ring 9 to move upward. Simultaneously with this action, the elevator 2 is caused to ascend or descend by a winder 15, which is driven by the rotation of a motor 15a, by means of which a suspension cord 18, from which the elevator 2 is suspended by a suspension ring 17, is wound in or out, thereby transporting the support pan 28 carrying the desired compact disc to above the player 1.
Next a solenoid 36 is activated, moving an actuator plate 34 towards the elevator 2 (toward the lower right in the figure) against the compressive force of a tension spring 35. If a rotating shaft 48 of a motor 47 is rotated under these conditions, pulleys 45 and 46, over which a belt 49 has been passed, rotates, thereby transmitting driving power to drive wheels 43 and 44 by means of idlers 41 and 42, which provides a pressure contact with the pulleys 45 and 46. The support pan 28 is brought into pressure contact to the drive wheels 43 and 44 and is moved from the magazine rack 2 to the elevating frame 8 of the player 1. In the elevating frame 8, the support pan 28 is transported along guide grooves 11 and 12, after which the motor
56 is activated lowering the elevating frame 8 and placing the compact disc on turntable 6. At this time the pressure ring 9 is also lowered, holding the compact disc on top of turntable 6. Optical pickup 7 is then moved to the player 1, upon which the compact disc rests, where it reads information from the disc and sends the information read to the reproducing circuit (not shown).
After completion of the performance, the motor 56 is activated raising the elevating frame 8 and the pressure ring 9, and the carrier 4 is activated to return the support pan 28 to its previous location in the magazine 3.
Again, FIG. 89 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram showing a conventional disc-chucking apparatus as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Kokai Publication No. 193560/1986 (Showa 61-193560). FIG. 90 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram showing this conventional disc-chucking apparatus with a disc resting thereon, in which a reference numeral 1021 designates the base of the apparatus; 1022 a spindle fixed to the base 1021; 1023 a disc that is the medium for recording a video, audio or other signal and has at its center a clamping plate 1042 formed from a soft magnetic material; 1031 a cartridge accommodating a disc 1023; 1024 a support piece, which positions the disc 1023 in the vertical direction; 1025 a centering piece that acts to position the disc 1023 in the radial direction; 1026 a guide piece having an inclined portion for guiding the centering piece 1025 when the disc 1023 is to be loaded into the apparatus; 1027 a chucking magnet, having either the single magnetic domain structure shown in FIG. 91 or the striped magnetic domain structure shown in FIG. 92, for attracting the disc 1023 into intimate contact with the support piece 1024; 1028 a turntable comprising the support piece 1024, the centering piece 1025, the guide piece 1026 and the chucking magnet 1027; 1029 a bearing supporting turntable 1028 in its rotation around spindle 1022; and 1030 a motor to drive the turntable 1028 in its rotation.
The motor 1030 is held stationary on the base 1021 and is provided with a core 1062 wound with a coil that is not shown, a rotor 1063 that rotates together with turntable 1028, and a magnet 1064 fixed to the rotor 1063.
FIG. 93 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a disc loading and unloading apparatus for a recording and reproducing apparatus using a disc-chucking apparatus, in which a reference numeral 1032 designates a holder holding the cartridge
1031; 1033 a pivot constituting the center of rotation of the holder 1032; 1034 a spring to make the holder 1032 rotate in the clockwise direction; 1035 a engagement portion provided on the holder 1032; 1036 a hook; 1037 a pivot constituting the center of rotation of the hook 1036; 1038 a spring to apply pressure to rotate the hook 1036 in the counterclockwise direction; 1039 a positioning pin to act as a positioning member for the cartridge 1031; 1040 a holding member to press and hold the cartridge
1031 provided on the holder 1032 against the recording and reproducing apparatus; 1041 a spring for the same; and 1043 a disc loading apparatus comprising the components listed above.
Following is a description of the operation. The disc 1023 is loaded into the recording and reproducing apparatus by disc loading apparatus 1043. Referring to FIG. 93, if the cartridge 1031 is inserted in the holder 1032 and the holder 1032 is pressed downwards, the hook 1036 is engaged with engagement portion 1035 of the holder 1032, keeping it stationary with respect to the recording and reproducing apparatus. Meanwhile the cartridge 1031 is pressed and held against the positioning piece
1039 of the base 1021 by the pressure piece 1040. At this time, the disc 1023 is guided by the guide piece 1026 of the turntable 1028, and its position is determined by the centering piece 1025 and the support piece 1024 so that it is separated from the support piece inside cartridge 1031, and the clamping plate 1042 is attracted by the chucking magnet 1027 so that it is fixed to the turntable 1028. The turntable 1028 is then driven in a rotary manner by the motor 1030 and the signal is recorded or reproduced by means of a magnetic head or optical head.
FIG. 94 is a plan view showing the structure of a conventional position-detecting apparatus as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 32246/1986 (Showa 61-32246), in which a reference numeral 1354 designates a motor;
1371 a worm gear held with respect to the rotating shaft of the motor 1354; and 1351 a slider capable of moving in the directions indicated by arrows 1351A and 1351B. A reference numeral 1353 designates a contact gear having contacts 1391 (FIG. 96) on the reverse surface; and 1370 a position-detecting circuit board having an arcuate pattern 1392 (FIG. 95) of the obverse surface. A reference numeral 1372 designates a transmission gear train that engages with worm gear 1371 and transmits driving power from the motor 1354; 1380 a drive gear that engages transmission gear train 1372 and drives contact gear 1353; and 1356 a drive gear that engages with the contact gear 1353 to drive the slider 1351. A reference numeral 1375 designates the spindle of the drive gear 1380; 1352 the spindle of the contact gear; and 1387 the spindle of the drive gear 1356.
FIG. 95 is a plan view showing an arcuate pattern 1392 on a position-detecting circuit board 1370 of the conventional position-detecting apparatus, in which a reference numeral 1392 designates the arcuate pattern for position detection; 1393 a common electrode; and 1394, 1395 and 1396 detection electrodes.
FIG. 96 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram showing the contact gear of the conventional position-detecting apparatus, and FIG. 97 is a view taken along a line S97--S97 in FIG. 96, in which a reference numeral 1391 designates position-detecting contacts.
Following is a description of the operation. The rotational driving power of the motor 1354 is transmitted from the worm gear 1371 through transmission gear train 1372 to the drive gear 1380 to drive contact gear 1353. The drive gear 1356 is also driven rotationally by the contact gear 1353 to drive the slider 1351. The stopping point for the slider 1351 is detected when the contacts 1391 on the reverse surface of the contact gear 1353 come into friction contact with the arcuate pattern
1392 on the top of the position-detecting circuit board 1370 so that a current path is established between common electrode 1393 and one or two of detection electrodes 1394, 1395 and 1396, thereby providing the prescribed signal output.
However, a problem with the conventional automatic disc-changing apparatus shown in FIG. 88 is that the drive mechanism that imparts vertical motion to the elevating frame, the drive mechanism that imparts vertical motion to the elevator, and the drive mechanism, which transports the support pan on which the compact disc rests are individually provided with motors, and a solenoid is specially provided to provide pressure contact of the carrier pulley against the support pan, so that the structure is complicated and the cost of the apparatus is high.
An additional problem is that when the support pan is transported from the magazine rack to the player, vertical motion is imparted to the elevator, in which the support pans are stacked in the height direction, but since the moving elevator is of great volume (or its height dimension is large), the apparatus is too large to be installed in automobiles.
A further problem is that replacing the compact discs in the magazine rack requires a two-step procedure in which the magazine rack is first removed from the elevator and the support pans in the magazine rack are then withdrawn, making it inconvenient to use.
In the conventional disc-chucking apparatus shown in FIG. 89 through FIG. 93, the disc 1023 is attracted by the chucking magnet 1027, which is fixed to the turntable 1028. For this reason, in removing the disc 1023 from the turntable 1028, the hook 1036 is rotated clockwise as seen in FIG. 93 either manually or by a motor or other actuator to release engagement portion 1035.
When this occurs, the holder 1032 leaps upward due to the action of spring 1034. At this point the holder 1032 must pull the disc 1023 upward against the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027, requiring that the spring force of the spring
1034 be greater than the sum of the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027 and the weights of the cartridge 1031 and the holder 1032. This results in a problem in that any increase in the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027 requires an increase in the force required to load the holder 1032 into the apparatus, adversely affecting the operational feel. Further if the attractive force of the chucking magnet 1027 is too small, a problem arises in that the force holding the disc 1023 to the turntable 1028 is reduced, so that when the apparatus is acted upon by vibration or other external disturbance, disc 1023 is easily separated from turntable 1028, rendering the accurate reading of the signals difficult.
Another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is that turntable 1028 is supported on a spindle 1022, which is fixed to base 1021, so that when the apparatus is acted upon by vibration or other external disturbance, vibration is transmitted to the turntable 1028 and applied to the disc 1023, rendering the accurate reading of the signals difficult.
Another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is that it requires two magnets: a magnet 1064, which is used in the motor 1030 for the rotating of the turntable 1028, and a chucking magnet 1027 for attracting and holding the disc
1023, with the result that the number of components is increased and costs rise.
Another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is that it requires two holding members: rotor 1063 for holding magnet 1064 of the motor 1030, and the turntable 1028 for holding the chucking magnet 1027, with the result that the number of components is increased and costs rise.
Yet another problem with the conventional disc-chucking apparatus is that it requires a great deal of force to remove the the clamping plate 1042 that is attracted to the chucking magnet 1027 from the apparatus.
Again, in the conventional position-detecting apparatus shown in FIG. 94 through FIG. 97, is that the stopping point is detected when contacts 1391 on the reverse surface of the contact gear 1353 come into friction contact with the arcuate pattern 1392 on the top of position-detecting circuit board 1370 so that a current path is established between common electrode 1393 and one or two of detection electrodes 1394, 1395 and 1396. This raises a problem of reliability, in that there is a danger of faults occurring due to wear or corrosion of contacts 1391 or arcuate pattern 1392.
Further, letting P be the number of position detection points and n be the requisite number of contacts (including common contacts), the requisite number of contacts n may be found by rounding up m, wherein
In general the number of the detection points P is two, at the beginning and at the end, so that the minimum number of contacts n required is two. Also contacts 1391 must be arranged along the radius of the contact gear 1353. This raises a problem in terms of the compactness of the apparatus, in that the contact gear 1353 is enlarged in the radial direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic disc-changing apparatus that is inexpensive, compact and convenient to use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disc-chucking apparatus that offers secure attraction and holding of the disc to the turntable, without sacrificing the operational feel of the apparatus.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disc apparatus in which the vibration of the base will not easily be applied to the disc.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disc apparatus that has fewer components and is lower in cost.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a position-detecting apparatus in which compactness can be easily achieved even if the number of operational modes is increased.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can be loaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above a player differing in vertical and horizontal position from the standby position, or from the recording and reproducing position to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridge holders for holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism for standby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standby position; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding one of the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; and an elevator mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the vertical direction.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the automatic disc-changing apparatus described above, wherein the elevator mechanism comprises a first motor; a first slide cam for mowing horizontally between the standby position and the recording and reproducing position; a first motion-transmitting mechanism for causing the first slide cam to move horizontally due to rotational driving power of the first motor; and an elevating base for being engaged with the first slide cam and moving vertically in linkage with horizontal motion of the first slide cam; and wherein a pair of the first slide cams is arranged in parallel with each other and one of the pair of the first slide cam is arranged on either side of the player; each of the first slide cams comprises a vertical plane portion and a flange portion projecting horizontally from the vertical plane portion, in which the flange portions are provided with elongated slots in the direction at right angles to the direction of motion of the first slide cams; the first motion-transmitting mechanism comprises a loading lever that receives rotary driving power from the first motor and rotates around a vertical shaft; and engaging pins implanted at either end of the loading lever is engaged, respectively, with the elongated slots in the flanges; and the apparatus further comprising a clamping lever for clamping the cartridge to the player; and a second slide cam for moving horizontally in a direction at right angles to the direction of motion of the transfer mechanism in response to the rotation of the loading lever.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can be loaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above a player differing in vertical and horizontal position from the standby position, or from the recording and reproducing position to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridge holders For holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism for standby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standby position; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding one of the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; and an elevator mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the vertical direction, wherein the elevating mechanism comprises a third motor; a pantograph mechanism; a cam mechanism which activates the pantograph mechanism in response to rotary motion of the third motor.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can be loaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above a player differing in vertical and horizontal position from the standby position, or from the recording and reproducing position to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridge holders for holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism for standby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standby position; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding one of the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; and an elevator mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the vertical direction; and the automatic disc-changing apparatus further comprising a duplicate insertion prevention plate which is rotatable around a horizontal shaft at the top of each of the insertion ports, and which is approximately horizontal and in butt contact with an upper surface of the cartridge holder when the cartridge holder is loaded into the holding mechanism for standby, but approximately vertical when the cartridge holder has been separated by means of the transfer mechanism from the holding mechanism for standby; and a regulating member which is fixed further into depths of the apparatus, when the regulating member establishes butt contact with the duplicate insertion prevention plate, the range of motion of the duplicate insertion prevention plate is regulated.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic disc-changing apparatus, capable of selectively transporting a cartridge accommodating a disc-type information recording and reproducing medium, either from a standby position at which can be loaded a plurality of such cartridges to a recording and reproducing position above a player differing in vertical and horizontal position from the standby position, or from the recording and reproducing position to the standby position, comprising: a plurality of cartridge holders for holding each of the cartridges; a holding mechanism for standby, for holding the plurality of cartridge holders in the standby position; a holding mechanism for transport, for selectively holding one of the cartridge holders; a transfer mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the horizontal direction; an elevator mechanism for moving the holding mechanism for transport in the vertical direction; a display for displaying contents information recorded on the disc-type information recording medium; audio signal storage circuitry for storing audio signal information on the disc-type information recording medium being reproduced; and control circuit such that when, during reproduction, a new cartridge is loaded into another cartridge holder, the cartridge being reproduced is temporarily returned to the standby position and at the same time the audio signal information of the cartridge is continuously reproduced by means of the audio signal information stored in the audio signal storage circuitry; the new cartridge is transported to the recording and reproducing position and the contents information on the disc-shaped information recording medium of the new cartridge is read and displayed on the display; the new cartridge is then returned to the standby position; the cartridge first being reproduced is placed to the recording and reproducing position and continuously reproduced.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc-chucking apparatus, in which a disc-type recording medium is held to a rotatable turntable of a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing a signal, using light or magnetism with respect to a disc having at its center a soft magnetic material, comprising: means for applying magnetic attractive force to the clamping plate; and means for controlling the magnetic attractive force.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc to a rotatable turntable; a spindle rotatably for supporting the turntable; and a resilient body for applying a prescribed pressing force to the spindle in an axial direction of the spindle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc having a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable; and a magnetic material provided between a magnet of a motor for driving the turntable and the disc clamping plate, and permeable to the magnetic flux of the magnet of the motor.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc to a rotatable turntable; and a magnet forming at least a part of the turntable; wherein the turntable has a first surface for holding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side; a magnetized surface of the magnet is provided on the second surface of the turntable, and an excitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface, so that the turntable is used as the magnet forming part of a drive motor and as the disc clamping magnet.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a rotatable spindle; a turntable secured to the spindle and holding a disc; and a vibration-damping material interposed between the chassis and the spindle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a rotatable turntable having a first surface holding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side; and an excitation coil; wherein a part of the turntable is magnetized, and the magnetized surface is formed on the side of the second surface; and the excitation coil is disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface of the turntable, and the turntable can be floated by the application of current to the excitation coil.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a turntable supported rotatably with respect to a base, with a first surface for holding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side, and in part magnetized and the magnetized surface is formed on the side of the second surface; a drive motor for driving the turntable, which has a magnet and a core and has a magnetic gap between the magnet and the core near periphery of the motor, and in which a spindle of the motor and a spindle of the turntable are in common; and an excitation coil disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface of the turntable mounted on a base; and wherein the magnet and the coil of the drive motor are so disposed that their center heights are offset in the height direction; and height of the turntable is positioned by energizing the excitation coil to achieve an equilibrium between the repulsive force of the magnetized turntable and the excitation coil, and the attractive force between the core and the magnet.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a mechanism for transporting discs or cartridges accommodating discs; a turntable supported rotatably and slidably in the axial direction with respect to a base, having a first surface holding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side, and in part magnetized with the magnetized surface formed on the side of the second surface; an excitation coil mounted on a base and disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface of the turntable; a control circuit for controlling the movement of the turntable in the axial direction and the drive of the cartridge transport mechanism, and controlling the energization of the excitation coil in linkage with the operation of the transport mechanism.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a turntable supported rotatably and slidably in the axial direction with respect to a base, having a first surface for holding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side, and in part magnetized with the magnetized surface formed on the side of the second surface; an excitation coil mounted on a base and disposed oppositely to the magnetized surface of the turntable; a drive circuit for driving a focus actuator: and a detector for detecting the focusing error of an optical pickup; and a control circuit for controlling the energization of the excitation coil in accordance with the output of the detector and moving the turntable in the axial direction by means of the magnetic force between the excitation coil coil and the magnetized turntable.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a turntable supported rotatably with respect to a base, having a first surface holding the disc and a second surface on the opposite side; a magnetic material forming a part of the turntable; an excitation coil mounted on a base; a first magnet forming part of the turntable with one magnetized surface positioned on the side of the first surface of the turntable and the other magnetized surface coupled to the magnetic material; and a second magnet with one magnetized surface coupled with the magnetic material and the other magnetized surface disposed oppositely to the excitation coil; wherein the first magnet attracts a clamping plate provided on the disc; the second magnet forms part of constitutes of a motor that rotationally drives the turntable along with the coil; and the turntable is formed by outsert molding a centering portion and a flange that position the disc on the magnet material.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc-chucking apparatus for a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, for holding a disc to a rotatable turntable, comprising screw threads formed in a disc-clamping magnet clamping a disc-clamping plate and the turntable, thereby causing height of the disc-clamping magnet with respect to the turntable to be changed.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a chassis; a base for holding a disc to a rotatable turntable and supporting the turntable; and a plurality of suspension means for suspending the base to the chassis; wherein each of the suspension means consists of a combination of a magnet and a coil which are mounted at one end to the base and at the other end to the chassis, each being capable of supporting a load in a different direction.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc having a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable by magnetic attractive force; a release coil that is mounted on a holder for recording and reproducing heads mounted on a chassis, that generates a magnetic flux at a position oppositely disposed to the disc clamping plate, and that cancels or weakens the magnetic attractive force of the disc-chucking apparatus.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism for holding a disc having a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable by magnetic attractive force; a holder mounted rotatably around an axis parallel to the recording surface of the disc; a recording head that is mounted to one end of the holder and, as the holder rotates, approaches toward or recedes from the recording surface of the disc; and a release magnet that is mounted on the other end of the holder and, as the recording head approaches toward or recedes from the recording surface of the disc, recedes from or approaches toward the disc clamping plate.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disc apparatus for recording and reproducing signals using light or magnetism, comprising: a disc-chucking mechanism that holds a disc having a clamping plate to a rotatable turntable by magnetic attractive force; a transfer member having a magnet or a coil, which causes the magnet or coil to approach toward or recede from the clamping plate; and a drive mechanism that, by means of the rotation of the holder on which the recording head is mounted, causes the recording head to approach toward or recede from the recording surface of the disc, while at the same time causing the magnet or coil to approach toward or recede from the clamping plate.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a position-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of a drive transmitting mechanism that performs prescribed operations driven by a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member forming a part of the drive transmitting mechanism and moving together with the motion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a light-reflecting portion disposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; a light-transmitting portion disposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; a photoemitter disposed in such a way that when, due to the movement of the moving portion, the reflecting and transmitting portions come to a position facing it, irradiates them with light; a first photodetector disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by the light-reflecting portion; a second photodetector disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is transmitted by the light-transmitting portion; and means for detecting the position of the moving member on the basis of the output of the photodetector.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a position-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of a drive transmitting mechanism that performs prescribed operations driven by a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member that forms part of the drive transmitting mechanism and moves together with the motion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a first light-reflecting portion having a first polarizing sheet which is disposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; a second light-reflecting portion having a second polarizing sheet which is disposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; a photoemitter disposed in such a way that when, due to the movement of the moving portion, the first and second reflecting portions come to a position facing it, irradiates them with light; a first photodetector having on its photodetecting portion a third polarizing sheet and disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by the first and second light-reflecting portion; a second photodetector having on its photodetecting portion a fourth polarizing sheet and disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by the first and second light-reflecting portion; means by which the direction of polarization of the first polarizing sheet and the second polarizing sheet differ by approximately 90.degree., the direction of polarization of the third polarizing sheet and the fourth polarizing sheet differ by approximately 90.degree. and the direction of polarization of the first polarizing sheet and the third polarizing sheet are approximately the same; and means that detects the position of the moving member on the basis of the output of the first and second photodetectors,
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a position-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of a drive transmitting mechanism that performs prescribed operations driven by a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member that forms part of the drive transmitting mechanism and moves together with the motion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a light-reflecting portion disposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; a photoemitter disposed in such a way that when, due to the movement of the moving portion, the reflecting portion comes to a position facing it, irradiates it with light; a magnetic portion disposed on the moving member; a photodetector disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is reflected by the light-reflecting portion; a magnetic detection element disposed so as to detect the position of the magnetic portion; and means for detecting the position of the moving member on the basis of the output of the photodetector and magnetic detection element.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a position-detecting apparatus for detecting the operational mode of a drive transmission mechanism that performs prescribed operations driven by a motor or other drive source, comprising: a moving member that forms part of the drive transmitting mechanism and moves together with the motion of the drive transmitting mechanism; a first light-transmitting portion passing light through a first polarizing sheet and a second light-transmitting portion passing light through a second polarizing sheet that are disposed along the direction of movement of the moving member; a photoemitter disposed in such a way that when, due to the movement of the moving portion, the first and second light-transmitting portions come to a position facing it, irradiates them with light; a first photodetector having on its photodetecting portion a third polarizing sheet and disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is transmitted through the first and second light-transmitting portions; a second photodetector having on its photodetecting portion a fourth polarizing sheet and disposed in such a way that it receives that part of the light emitted by the photoemitter that is transmitted through the first and second light-transmitting portions; means by which the direction of polarization of the first polarizing sheet and the second polarizing sheet differ by approximately 90.degree., the direction of polarization of the third polarizing sheet and the fourth polarizing sheet differ by approximately 90.degree. and the direction of polarization of the first polarizing sheet and the third polarizing sheet are approximately the same; and means for detecting the position of the moving member on the basis of the output of the first and second photodetectors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the automatic disc-changing apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention, taken along a line IV--IV in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus taken along a line I--I in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus taken along a line II--II in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along a line III--III in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the transfer mechanism of FIG. 1
FIGS. 6A to 6E are descriptive diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of the transfer mechanism of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a descriptive diagram for the purpose of describing the mechanism for detecting the angle of rotation of the loading gear that forms a part of constitutes of the transfer mechanism.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the operation of the elevating mechanism of the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the operation of the transfer mechanism and the holding mechanism for transport, which holds one of cartridge holders.
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the cartridge clamping mechanism of the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line V--V in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line VI--VI in FIG. 10.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the operation of the clamping mechanism shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the mechanism that drives the floating arm shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of a player from the fixed condition until it reaches the floating condition.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the insertion and ejection mechanism for the cartridge.
FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of the insertion and ejection mechanism of FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view as seen from the direction cut by line VII--VII in FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is a front view of the apparatus with a cartridge inserted.
FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of an automatic disc-changing apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing the mechanism that holds the cartridge holder of the apparatus shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the structure and operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 20.
FIGS. 23 to 26 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure and operation of the cartridge holder.
FIGS. 28 and 29 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the structure and operation of the holding mechanism for transport used to transport and hold the cartridge holder.
FIGS. 30 to 33 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of an elevating mechanism of this second embodiment.
FIGS. 34 and 35 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of an example of a mechanism to prevent double insertion of cartridges.
FIGS. 36 and 37 are conceptual diagrams for the purpose of describing the structure and operation of a cartridge ejection mechanism.
FIG. 38 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the automatic disc-changing apparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38 as seen from outside chassis.
FIG. 40 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38 with chassis removed.
FIG. 41 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38 with chassis and the slide cam removed.
FIGS. 42 to 45 are descriptive diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 38.
FIGS. 46 and 47 are side views of the clamping mechanism that forms a part of the third embodiment.
FIG. 48 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the operation of the third embodiment.
FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing the structure of the automatic disc-changing apparatus of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 50 is a front view an example of a display on the display panel of the apparatus shown in FIG. 49.
FIG. 51 is a flow chart for the purpose of describing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 49.
FIG. 52 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of a disc-chucking apparatus of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 53 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a disc-chucking apparatus of the fifth embodiment when a disc, which is the signal recording medium, is chucked in it.
FIG. 54 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chucking apparatus of the fifth embodiment when a disc has been released from it.
FIG. 55 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the disc-chucking apparatus of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 56 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of a disc-chucking apparatus of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 57 is a descriptive diagram showing the magnetic flux in a disc-chucking apparatus of the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 58 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chucking apparatus of an eighth embodiment when a disc is chucked in it.
FIG. 59 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc-chucking apparatus of a ninth embodiment when a disc has been released from it.
FIG. 60 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the disc-chucking apparatus of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 61 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the disc apparatus of a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 62 is a graph plotting data measured for a disc apparatus of the tenth embodiment, when the base was vibrated with the compressive force of the leaf spring set to 80 [g].
FIG. 63 is a graph plotting data measured for a disc apparatus of the tenth embodiment, when the base was vibrated with the compressive force of the leaf spring set to 130 [g].
FIG. 64 is a plan view showing the turntable of the disc apparatus of an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 65 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line S65--S65 in FIG. 64.
FIG. 66 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus of a twelfth embodiment.
FIG. 67 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus of a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 68 is a schematic plan view of the disc apparatus of the thirteenth embodiment.
FIG. 69 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus of a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 70 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disc apparatus of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 71 is a block diagram showing the disc apparatus of a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 72 is a block diagram showing the disc apparatus of a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 73 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the disc apparatus of an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 74 is a plan view showing the turntable of the disc apparatus of this eighteenth embodiment.
FIG. 75 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the disc-chucking apparatus of a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 76 is a side view of the structure of the disc apparatus of a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 77 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the disc apparatus of a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 78 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the disc apparatus of a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 79 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the disc apparatus of a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 80 is a perspective diagram showing the structure of a position-detecting apparatus of a twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 81 is a diagram showing the position-detecting operation of the twenty-fourth embodiment.
FIG. 82 is a perspective diagram showing the structure of the position-detecting apparatus of a twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 83 is a diagram showing the position-detecting operation of the twenty-fifth embodiment.
FIG. 84 is a perspective view showing the structure of the position-detecting apparatus of a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 85 is a diagram showing the position-detecting operation of a twenty-seventh embodiment {of the present invention}.
FIG. 86 is a perspective view showing the structure of the position-detecting apparatus of a twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 87 is a perspective view showing the structure of the position-detecting apparatus of a twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 88 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure and operation of a conventional automatic disc-changing apparatus.
Part 2
FIG. 89 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional disc-chucking apparatus.
FIG. 90 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional disc chucking apparatus with a disc resting thereon.
FIG. 91 is a perspective view showing a chucking magnet having a single magnetic domain structure magnetized in one direction.
FIG. 92 is a perspective view showing a chucking magnet having a striped magnetic domain structure magnetized in both directions.
FIG. 93 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a disc loading and unloading apparatus for a recording and reproducing apparatus using a disc-chucking apparatus.
FIG. 94 is a plan view showing the structure of a conventional position-detecting apparatus.
FIG. 95 is a plan view showing the arcuate pattern on the position-detecting circuit board of a conventional position-detecting apparatus.
FIG. 96 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the contact gear of the conventional position-detecting apparatus.
FIG. 97 is a view taken along a line S97--S97 in FIG. 96.
FIG. 98 is a descriptive diagram showing the significances of the symbols used in the conceptual diagrams.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 through FIG. 9 relate to a first embodiment of an automatic disc-changing apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and show a mechanism for transporting, from a standby position 200a at the front of the apparatus to a recording and reproducing position 200b above the player 1, or alternatively from the recording and reproducing position 200b to the standby position 200a, cartridges 91, 92, 93 or 94 accommodating within them optomagnetic discs or other disk-type information recording medium (not shown in the figure, and referred to in the first through fourth embodiments hereinbelow simply as "discs").
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram taken along a line IV--IV in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in which the right side of the drawing is the front of the apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of the first embodiment taken along a line I--I in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of the first embodiment taken along a line II--II in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the apparatus of the first embodiment taken along a line III--III in FIG. 2 and FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a transfer mechanism 100a, which imparts motion to a cartridge holder in the horizontal direction; FIG. 6A through 6E are descriptive diagrams for the purpose of describing the operation of transfer mechanism 100a; and FIG. 7 is a descriptive diagram for the purpose of describing the mechanism for detecting the angle of rotation of loading gear 140 that forms a part of constitutes of the transfer mechanism 100a.
Further, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the operation of the elevating mechanism 100b of the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for the purpose of describing the operation of the transfer mechanism
100a and the holding mechanism for transport 100c, which holds one of the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c or 103d. The significance of the symbols used in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is as given in FIG. 98.
As is shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, an automatic disc-changing apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d, which hold, respectively, cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94; a holder 107 (shown only in FIG. 2) which holds the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d in standby position 200a; a holding mechanism for transport 100c, which selectively holds one of the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d; a transfer mechanism 100a, which moves the holding mechanism for transport 100c horizontally to the front and rear (direction DK); and an elevating mechanism 100b, which causes the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d to ascend or descend vertically (direction LM). As is shown in FIG. 1, a block guide 413 is fixed to chassis 5 on the front panel of the apparatus, and a plurality of cartridge insertion ports corresponding, respectively, to the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d are provided in the block guide.
As is shown in FIG. 9, each of the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 is equipped with a shutter 101, which is capable of sliding motion. The shutter 101 is open when any of cartridges 91, 92, 93 or 94 is in the recording and reproducing position
200b, and is capable of reading the information recorded on the disc that is accommodated within the cartridge by means of the pickup 7 shown in FIG. 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface of cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 are provided with engagement grooves 102a and 102b, which engages with the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d.
When the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d are loaded in the standby position 200a, they are held, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, by the holder 107 fixed to the chassis 5. At appropriate places on each of cartridge holders 103a, 103b,
103c and 103d are provided, as shown in FIG. 9, an opener 104 for the cartridge shutter 101; positioning springs 105a and 105b, which engage with the engagement grooves 102a and 102b to position the cartridge; and engagement holes 106a, 106b, 106c and
106b, which engage with chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b on chucking arms 150 and 151.
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the first embodiment is further equipped with detecting rods 108, which are mounted on the holder 107, which are mounted on either side of the standby position 200a on the chassis 5 (i.e., on the left and right sides of FIG. 2). The detecting rods 108 slides in direction A when a corresponding cartridge is inserted. The apparatus is further equipped with cartridge detecting switches 109, which are in butt contact with the corresponding detecting rods
108 moving in direction A and detect whether the cartridge has been loaded or not.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 or FIG. 8, the elevating mechanism 100b comprises a motor 115 which is mounted on the chassis 5 at the front of the apparatus; a worm 116 which is fixed on an rotating shaft of the motor 115; a gear 117 which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with the worm 116; a gear 118 which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with the gear 117; and a cam gear 119 which is centered on a rotation shaft 161 and supported with respect to the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with the gear 118. A drive pin 120 is implanted into the cam gear 119 so as to face it perpendicularly.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 or FIG. 8, the elevating mechanism 100b also comprises on either side of chassis 5 (i.e., on both the left and right of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) slide cams 126 and 127, which are slidable horizontally to the front and rear (direction DK). Each of slide cams 126 and 127 is equipped with protruding members 128 and 129, which protrude inward in the horizontal direction. Each of the slide cams 126 and 127 also has flanges 126a and 127a directed horizontally inward. In the flange 126a is formed an elongated cam hole 130 horizontally to the left and right (direction EF) so as to be at right-angles to the motion of the slide cam 126, and in the flange 127a is formed an elongated cam hole 131 horizontally to the left and right (direction EF). Again, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 8, there is formed in the vertical surface of the slide cam 126, two stepped cam holes 163a and 163b of identical configuration, and in the vertical surface of the slide cam 127, two stepped cam holes 164a and 164b of identical configuration.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, the elevating mechanism 100b further comprises a loading lever 132, which has a perpendicular rotating shaft 133 that is fixed to the chassis 5. There is formed in the loading lever 132 a cam hole 134, which engages with the drive pin 120 implanted into cam gear 119. As shown in FIG. 3, the cam hole 134 has a linear portion 134a and an arcuate portion 162. On either end of the loading lever 132, there is implanted an engaging pin 135a, which engages with the cam hole 130 in the flange 126a of the slide cam 126, and an engaging pin 135b, which engages with the cam hole 131 in the flange 127a of the slide cam 127.
The elevating mechanism 100b further comprises an elevator (or elevator base) 139, which is engaged with the slide cams 126 and 127. The side surfaces of the elevator 139 are equipped with engaging pins 144a, 144b, 144c and 144d, which are engaged with the stepped cain holes 163a, 163b, 164a and 164b formed in the slide cams 126 and 127, and are engaged with the vertical cam holes 136a, 136b, 136c and 136d formed in the chassis 5 and extending in the vertical direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, the transfer mechanism 100a comprises a motor 110 mounted on the rear of the chassis 5; a worm 111 which is fitted to the rotating shaft of the motor 110; a gear 112 which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with the worm 111; a gear 113 which is supported on chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with the gear 112; and a cylindrical gear 114 which is supported on the chassis 5 in such a way that it can rotate freely and engages with the gear 113.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 5, the transfer mechanism 100a comprises a loading gear 140 which is supported by a rotating shaft 141 on the elevator 139, and a gear 142 which is supported on the elevator 139 such a way that it can rotate freely and engaged with the loading gear 140 and the cylindrical gear 114. On either side of the elevator 139 (i.e., on both the left and right in FIG. 2), there are formed long, narrow guide slots 143a and 143b oriented horizontally to the front and rear in the direction of movement of the slide cams 126 and 127 (direction DK).
Further, the transfer mechanism 100a comprises a transporter 145 supported on the elevator 139 in such a way as to be capable of sliding motion. The transporter 145 is equipped with rollers 153a and 153b which are supported so as to rotate freely and engaged with the guide slot 143a of the elevator 139, and rollers 153c and 153d which are supported so as to rotate freely and engaged with the guide slot 143b. As shown in FIG. 5, the transporter 145 further comprises a horizontally configured Y-shaped cam hole 146 having a linear portion 146a that extends horizontally to the left and right (direction EF), which is perpendicular to the horizontal to the front and rear direction in which the transporter moves (direction DK), and two arcuate portions 147 and 148, which fork from one end of linear portion 146a. As shown in FIG. 6E, the arcuate portion 147 has as its radius of the distance from the rotating shaft 141 of the loading gear 140 to the engaging pin 157, and as shown in FIG. 6A, the arcuate portion 148 has as its radius of arc the same distance from the rotating shaft 141 of the loading gear 140 to the engaging pin 157.
Further, an apparatus of the first embodiment is equipped with a detecting mechanism for detecting the angle of rotation of the loading gear 140. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the detecting mechanism comprises a sensor holder 122 mounted on the chassis 5; cam holes 122a and 122b formed in the sensor holder 122; and a rack 123, which, by means of the engagement of cam holes 122a and 122b with engaging pins 123a and 123b, is slidable horizontally to the front and rear (direction DK) and is engaged with the cylindrical gear 114. A film 125 is stretched over the rack 123, and optical sensors 124a and 124b are provided above the sensor holder 122 so as to face the film 125 through the aperture (not shown in the drawings) of the sensor holder
122. The film 125 forms a pattern using colors of high and low optical reflectivity (such as silver and black), and a controller 159 detects the angle of rotation of the loading gear 140 on the basis of information on the pattern of the film 125 as detected by the optical sensors 124a and 124b.
Further, the transfer mechanism 100a is equipped with a holding mechanism for the transport 100c, which holds the cartridge holder for transport. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, the holding mechanism for transport 100c comprises chucking arms 150
and 151 which are supported in such a way as to slide freely horizontally to the left and right with respect to the transporter 145 (direction EF); and a spring 152 which engages at either end with chucking arms 150 and 151 and applies a force in a direction to draw the chucking arms 150 and 151 towards each other. Engagement pins 145a and 145b that are implanted into the bottom surface of the transporter 145 are engaged with slots 150b and 150c of the chucking arm 150 and slots 151b and 151c of the chucking arm 151. The slots 150b and 150c are elongated horizontally to the left and right of the chucking arm 150 (direction EF), and slots 151b and 151c, which are elongated horizontally to the left and right of chucking arm 151 (direction EF).
The holding mechanism for transport 100c is equipped with a lever member 149, which is rotatable around on a center pin 145c of the transporter 145, and two slots 149a and 149b formed on lever member 149 are each engaged with the engaging pin
150a implanted into the chucking arm 150 and the engaging pin 151a implanted into the chucking arm 151.
The chucking arm 150 is equipped with chucking pins 154a and 154b, which are implanted facing inward for the purpose of engaging with the cartridge holder, and the chucking arm 151 is equipped with chucking pins 155a and 155b, which are implanted facing inward for the purpose of engaging with the cartridge holder.
Further, in the chucking arm 151 there is formed an edge portion 156, which receives the chucking arm driving power; and in the loading gear 140 there is implanted into an engaging pin 157, which is inserted through Y-shaped cam hole 146 and establishes butt contact with the edge portion 156 of the chucking arm 151.
The apparatus of the first embodiment is further equipped with detecting switches 158a and 158b for detecting the height of the elevator 139, which are mounted on the chassis 5 in such a way as to be in butt contact with protruding members 128
and 129 mounted on the slide cams 126 and 127; and a controller 159, which provides general control functions for the apparatus as a whole, controlling the motors 110 and 115, receiving signals from the detecting switches and optical sensors, controlling the operation of the player 1, and so on.
A vibration-absorbing damper is inserted between the player 1 and the chassis 5 in order to mitigate the transmission of external vibration to the player 1 and to eliminate the skips that may occur in the reading of signals.
Following is a description of the elevating mechanism 100b with reference to FIG. 8. The elevating mechanism 100b is operated by a drive motor 115 on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159. The rotational driving power of the motor
115 is transmitted through the worm 116, the gear 117 and the gear 118 to the cam gear 119, and is converted into rotation of the loading lever 132 about the rotating shaft 133 by means of the cam hole 134 in the loading lever 132 and the engaging pin
120 of the cam gear 119. When the loading lever 132 rotates clockwise, the slide cam 127, which has cam hole 131 engaging with the engaging pin 135b, moves horizontally forward (direction K) while the slide cam 126, which has cam hole 130 engaging with the engaging pin 135a, moves horizontally backward (direction D). On the other hand, when the loading lever 132 rotates counter clockwise, the slide cam 127 moves horizontally backward (direction D), while the slide cam 126 moves horizontally forward (direction K).
When the slide cams 126 and 127 are moving, the engaging pins 144a, 144b, 144c and 144d of the elevator 139 are engaged respectively with the cam holes 136a, 136b, 136c and 136d, which are formed in the chassis 5 and elongated in the vertical direction, and do not move horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK), so that through the action of the mechanism consisting of the cam holes 163a and 163b of the slide cam 126 and the cam holes 164a and 164b of the slide cam 127, and of the engaging pins 144a, 144b, 144c and 144d that engage with them, the elevator 139 moves vertically (directions LM). In the case shown in FIG. 8, when the slide cam 126 moves horizontally backward (direction D) and the slide cam 127 moves horizontally forward (direction K), the elevator 139 decends, and conversely when the slide cam 126 moves horizontally forward (direction K) and the slide cam 127 moves horizontally backward (direction D), the elevator 139 ascends.
Following is a description of the transfer mechanism 100a with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. The transfer mechanism 100a is operated by rotation of the drive motor 110 on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159. The rotational driving power of the motor 110 is transmitted through the worm 111, the gear 112, the gear 113, the cylindrical gear 114 and the gear 142 to the loading gear 140. When the loading gear 140 rotates, the transporter 145 moves horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK) along the guide slots 143a and 143b of the elevator 139 by means of the Y-shaped cam hole 146 of the transporter 145 and the engaging pin 157 of the loading gear 140.
Following is a detailed description of the way in which the transporter 145 moves horizontally to the front and rear (directions DK) due to the rotary motion of the loading gear 140, with reference to FIG. 6A through FIG. 6E. In bringing the transporter 145 horizontally forward (direction K) from above the recording and reproducing position 200b to the standby position 200a, the loading gear 140 is rotated counterclockwise (direction B). As shown in FIG. 6A, when the transporter 145 is above the recording and reproducing position 200b, the engaging pin 157 is in the arcuate portions 148 of the cam hole 146. Through the counterclockwise (direction B) movement of the loading gear 140, the engaging pin 157 is brought to the position shown in FIG. 6B. In the process From FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B, movement of the engaging pin 157 within the arcuate portion 148 does not move the transporter 145. When the loading gear 140 continues its rotation from FIG. 6B to FIG. 6C, the transporter 145
moves horizontally forward (direction K) for a distance Y1. Then when the loading gear 140 continues its rotation from FIG. 6C to FIG. 6D, the transporter 145 moves horizontally forward (direction K) for a further distance Y1. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6E, the engaging pin 157 advances to the other arcuate portion 147 of the cam hole 146 and the rotation of the loading gear 140 ceases. In the process from FIG. 6D to FIG. 6E, the transporter 145 remains in the standby position 200a, without moving horizontally forward or backward (directions DK).
In returning the transporter 145 from the standby position 200a to the recording and reproducing position 200b, the operations from FIG. 6E to FIG. 6A may be followed in the reverse order from that described above.
Following is a description of the holding mechanism for transport 100c with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. Operation of the holding mechanism for transport 100c is linked to the rotary motion of the loading gear 140, which moves the transporter 145. When the engaging pin 157 of the loading gear 140 is in butt contact with the edge portion 156 of the chucking arm 151 and is not pushing the chucking arm 151 horizontally to the right (direction F), as shown in FIG. 6A through FIG. 6D, the chucking arms 150 and 151 are drawn toward each other by the spring 152. When the engaging pin 157 of the loading gear 140 is in butt contact with the edge portion 156 of the chucking arm 151 and moves the chucking arm 151 horizontally to the right (direction F) against the compressive force of the spring 152 as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6E, the chucking pins 155a and 155b of the chucking arm 151 become separated from the cartridge holder 103. Simultaneously, the movement of the chucking arm 151
horizontally to the right (direction F) is transmitted to the chucking arm 150 through the lever members 149, which is supported by the transporter 145, centered on the rotating shaft 145c, moving the chucking arm 150 horizontally to the left (direction E) and drawing the chucking pins 154a and 154b away from the cartridge holder 103.
Following is a description of the overall operation of the apparatus of the first embodiment having the structure described above. If a user inserts a cartridge 91 through the insertion port of the front of the cartridge holder 103a as shown in FIG. 1 and and FIG. 2, the opener 104 of the cartridge holder 103a establishes butt contact with the shutter 101 of the cartridge 91 as shown in FIG. 9, and the shutter 101 slides and exposes a portion of the disc accommodated within, so reading or writing of information becomes possible. As a result of this insertion, the leading ends of positioning springs 105a and 105b of the cartridge holder 103a engage with the engagement grooves 102a and 102b of the cartridge, and the cartridge 91 is held in a prescribed position inside cartridge holder 103a. By repeating this operation with the remaining cartridges 92, 93 and 94, the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 can be loaded into all of the cartridge holders 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d.
Detection of whether the cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 have been loaded or not is accomplished, as shown in FIG. 2, by the rods 108, which are in butt contact with the side of cartridges 91, 92, 93 and 94 and slides in direction A, and detecting switches 109, which take the on or off state in accordance with the position of rods 108 in direction A. The rods and detecting switches are provided for holders 107.
If the user then operates the control panel (not shown in the drawings) so as to select the cartridge 94 to be reproduced, the elevating mechanism 100b will cause the elevator 139 to move to a prescribed height. As shown in FIG. 3, the height of the elevator 139 is detected by the protruding members 128 and 129 provided respectively on horizontally moving slide cams 126 and 127, and the detecting switches 158a and 158b, which come into contact with them and take on or off state. In changing the height of the elevator 139, the motor 110 is powered on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159. The rotational driving power of the motor 110 is transmitted to the loading gear 140, causing it to rotate either in direction C (loading) or direction B (unloading).
Next, the transfer mechanism 100a and the holding mechanism for transport 100c operate. Initially, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, the chucking pins 155a and 155b of the the chucking arm 151 and the chucking pins 154a and 154b of the chucking arm
150 are separated from the cartridge holder 103a as shown in FIG. 9. When, in the state from FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B, the loading gear 140 rotates in direction B, the engaging pin 157 moves along the arcuate portion 148 of the cam hole 146. Since the arcuate portion 148 forms an are having as its radius the distance between the rotating shaft 141 and the engaging pin 157, the position of the transporter 145 in the Y-axis direction will not change. At this time, however, the chucking arms 151 and 150
are being drawn together horizontally to the left (direction E) and horizontally to the right (direction F) by the action of the spring 152, so that the chucking arm 151 moves horizontally to the left (direction E) with the edge portion 156 in contact with the engaging pin 157, and the chucking arm 150 is moved horizontally to the right (direction F) by the lever member 149. Thus, in the state shown in FIG. 6B, the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b fit respectively into the engagement holes
106a, 106b, 106c and 106d so that the transporter 145 and the cartridge holder 103a are unified as an integral unit.
Next, the loading gear 140 rotates in direction B from the state shown in FIG. 6B through that of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6D. During this time, the transporter 145 and the cartridge holder 103a move as an integral unit horizontally forward (direction K) the same distance as the Y-axis component of the movement of the pin 157.
Next, as the loading gear 140 rotates in direction B from the state shown from FIG. 6D to FIG. 6E, the engaging pin 157 moves along the arcuate portion 147. Since the arcuate portion 147 forms an are having as its radius the distance between the rotating shaft 141 and the engaging pin 157, the position of the transporter 145 in the Y-axis direction will not change. However, as the loading gear 140 rotates from the state shown in FIG. 6D to that of FIG. 6E, the engaging pin 157 presses horizontally to the right (direction F) on the edge portion 156 of the chucking arm 151, so that the chucking arm 151 moves horizontally to the right (direction F) and the chucking pins 155a and 155b become separated from the cartridge holder 103a. Simultaneously the horizontally to the right (direction F) movement of the chucking arm 151 is transmitted through the lever 149 to the chucking arm 150, the chucking arm 150 moves horizontally to the left (direction E) and the chucking pins 155c and
155b become separated from the cartridge holder 103a.
The angle of rotation of the loading gear 140 is sensed by the controller 159 on the basis of the output of the optical sensors 124a and 124b, which read the pattern of the film 125 on the rack 123 engaging with the cylindrical gear 114 and moving horizontally to the front and rear of the apparatus (direction DK).
When the controller 159 senses that the state shown in FIG. 6E has been reached, it emits an instruction for the motor 115 to rotate, causing the cam gear 119 to rotate either in direction G (loading) or direction H (unloading), and driving the elevating mechanism 100b.
Following is a description of the loading action in which the transporter 145 is moved from the standby position 200a to the position above the recording and reproducing position 200b, on the basis of instructions from the controller 159. When the motor 110 rotates and the loading gear 140 rotates in the loading direction (direction C), the engaging pin 157 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6E to that in FIG. 6D and the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b fit into holes in the cartridge holder 103a. Since during this time the engaging pin 157 moves along the arcuate portion 147, the Y-axis position of the transporter 145 does not change.
Then, when the loading gear 140 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6D through that of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6B, the transporter 145, forming an integral unit with the cartridge holder 103a, moves a distance of 2.multidot.(Y1) in the Y-axis direction. When it is detected by the output of the optical sensors 124a and 124b that the state shown in FIG. 6B has been reached, the motion of the motor 110 is stopped on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159.
The motor 115 of the elevating mechanism 100b is now driven in the loading direction, which causes the slide cams 126 and 127 to move and the elevator 139 to descend. The elevator 139 descends to a height at which the turntable 6 comes into contact with the center of the disc in the cartridge 91. In this state, the player 1 is in a locked condition, fixed with respect to the chassis 5. If the motor 115 is then caused to rotate further in the loading direction, the drive pin 120 moves along the arcuate portion 162 of the loading lever 132, with the result that the loading lever 132 does not receive the driving power from the drive pin 120. Thus the slide cams 127 and 126 do not move until the completion of the floating operation described below.
Next the motor 110 of the transport mechanism 100b rotates in the loading direction, the engaging pins 157 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6B to that of FIG. 6A, and the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b are in a state of separation from the cartridge holder. At this point the rotation of the motor 115 in the unloading direction causes the elevator 139 to ascend, but the cartridge holder and cartridge 91 continue to be held in an integral state with the player 1 by means of a cartridge clamping mechanism 300, which will be described below. As a result of the ascent of the elevator 139, a clearance permitting a certain stroke appears between the player 1 and the elevator 139. At this time, the player 1 and the cartridge 91 held by the player 1 are floated from the chassis 5 within the range of a certain stroke. Accordingly vibration from the outside will be absorbed and will not be readily transmitted to the player 1.
Following is a description of the operation by which the cartridge being played is replaced by another cartridge. When the user specifies on the control panel (not shown in the drawing) the number of the cartridge to be played next, for example, number 2 (the second cartridge from the top), reproduction on the player 1 ceases on the basis of an instruction from the controller 159. The motor 115 is then rotated in the loading direction, causing the elevator 139 to descend, and when the center of the disc in the cartridge 91 reaches the height of the turntable 6, the motion of the motor 115 ceases. Next, the motor 110 is driven, which causes the loading gear 140 to rotate in direction B and to move from the state shown in FIG. 6A to that of FIG.
6B. The chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b therefore fit into holes in the cartridge holder, and the motor 110 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 6B. Next the motor 115 of the elevating mechanism 100b rotates in the unloading direction, which causes the player 1 to move from the floating condition to the locked condition. The motor 115 rotates in the unloading direction, causing the cartridge clamping mechanism, which will be described below, to operate, and the cartridge 91 is released from its integral unity with the player 1 and forms an integral unity with the elevator 139.
Until the completion of the operation of the cartridge clamping mechanism, the drive pin 120 moves along the arcuate portion 162, with the result that the loading lever 132 does not rotate. Even after the motor 115 causes the operation of the cartridge clamping mechanism below described, rotation continuing in the unloading direction causes the loading lever 132 to rotate, the slide cams 126 and 127 to move, and elevator 139 to ascend until it reaches the prescribed height.
Next, the transporter 145 moves from the state shown in FIG. 6B through that of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6D, at which point the cartridge holder is returned to the holding mechanism for standby. When it further moves from the state shown in FIG.
6D to that of FIG. 6E, the chucking pins 154a, 154b, 155a and 155b are separated from the cartridge holder, and the motor 110 stops.
Next the motor 115 operates and the elevator 139 moves to the height at which cartridge 92 is kept. The decision as to whether at this time the elevator 139 should ascend or descend is made on the basis of a detection signal from the detecting switches 158a and 158b.
Next transporter 145 moves from the position of FIG. 6E to the position of FIG. 6D, and in the process, the cartridge holder 103b of the cartridge 92 forms an integral unit with the transporter 145. The transporter 145 moves from the position of FIG. 6D through that of FIG. 6C to that of FIG. 6B, and the cartridge 92 is loaded to the player 1
Following is a description of the clamping mechanism 100d which clamps the cartridge onto the player 1.
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the cartridge clamping mechanism 100d of the automatic disc-changing apparatus of the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-section view taken along a line V--V in FIG. 10; FIG. 12
is a vertical cross-section view taken along a line VI--VI in FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a conceptual drawing for the purpose of describing the operation of the cartridge clamping mechanism 100d of FIG. 10; FIG. 14 is a conceptual drawing for the purpose of describing the mechanism that drives the floating arm 137 shown in FIG. 13; and FIG.