JP7202212B2 - Recording medium loading device and electronic equipment or audiovisual equipment using the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording medium loading device that advances or retracts a recording medium such as an optical disk along a predetermined reference axis for unloading/loading operations, and electronic equipment or audiovisual equipment using the same.

An electronic device or an audiovisual device such as a DVD player has an opening in a panel member that constitutes a housing, and an unloading operation/loading operation is performed by advancing or retreating a transport tray for transporting a recording medium such as an optical disk through the opening. may have a recording medium loading device that For example, the recording medium loading device is configured integrally with a disk drive device that reads/writes an optical disk, so that the recording medium can be loaded at a predetermined position within the housing.

The recording medium loading device advances or retreats the conveying tray, loads the recording medium at a predetermined position when the conveying tray fits inside the opening, and enables or ejects the recording medium when the conveying tray protrudes from the opening. act to enable The operation of advancing the carrier tray to protrude from the opening is called an unloading operation or an ejecting operation, and the state in which the carrier tray is moved forward and stopped is sometimes called an open state. Further, the operation of retracting the carrier tray and putting it in the opening may be called a loading operation or a loading operation, and the state where the carrier tray is housed in the housing may be called a closed state. In the recording medium loading device, in order to advance or retract the transport tray, a mechanism is often employed in which a motor controls and rotates a pinion that meshes with a rack provided on the transport tray.・A mechanism is adopted.

Electronic equipment or audio-visual equipment having a recording medium loading device that advances or retracts a carrier tray requires smooth movement of the carrier tray during unloading/loading operations and high operational quality that does not include irregular behavior. For example, when the transport tray moves forward or backward, it vibrates, or when it stops, it vibrates or makes noise due to the vibration. If it includes unfavorable behavior such as inconsistent position, the quality of operation is lowered and gives an unfavorable impression to the user. In particular, if the positioning of the carrier tray with respect to the opening of the housing in the closed state is unstable and deviates, there is a problem that the gaps that can be seen from the outside are not uniform and the appearance is significantly deteriorated.

For example, conventionally, in a mounting structure for a disk tray and a tray decoration, the mounting frame fixed to the disk tray is separated from the tray decoration so that the tray decoration can be displaced independently, thereby allowing the tray decoration to be displaced inside the recessed portion of the cabinet. There is one that facilitates the centering of tray decorations in a tray (Patent Document 1). A tray panel is attached to the front surface of the tray, and an elastic body is provided to urge the tray panel toward the front side of the tray. For this purpose, a flat surface is provided at the bottom of the opening provided in the front panel through which the tray passes, and protrusions are formed on both sides of the opening. There is a tray structure for a disc reproducing device characterized in that concave portions and convex portions are engaged with each other (Patent Document 2). However, when a tray decoration having a floating mechanism is installed, there is a problem that the number of parts constituting the floating mechanism increases, leading to an increase in cost.

Also, conventionally, there is a loader panel receiving part which has a side wall in which the loading tray is loosely inserted and whose opening area gradually increases toward the front, a collar part at the opening end of the front face, and which is attached to the opening provided in the housing. a front panel having an opening fitted to the outer peripheral side surface of the flange of the loader panel receiving portion; A loader panel is provided with a flange that is loosely inserted into an opening provided in the panel, and when the flange of the loader panel abuts against the flange of the loader panel receiver, the side wall of the loader panel contacts the side wall of the loader panel receiver. There is a recording/reproducing device characterized by contact (Patent Document 3). In other words, some disc trays have a guide structure on the front surface and can be positioned using the opening of the front panel.

However, in this structure, the disk tray positioning structure of the loader itself is added to the positioning structure with respect to the opening of the front panel, so that there are at least three positioning structures on a straight line in the direction in which the tray moves. That is, a third positioning is added to the two already defined positionings between the loader section and the tray. Accurate positioning of the three positions to prevent troubles such as loading stacks requires extremely high assembly accuracy, which is difficult and further increases the cost.

JP-A-2010-9678 Japanese Patent No. 3803789 JP-A-2000-163943

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium loading device for advancing or retracting a transport tray on which a recording medium is placed along a predetermined reference axis. In the above, an electronic device or audio-visual equipment that can accurately position the carrier tray in the open/closed state at a low cost, has smooth unloading/loading operations, high operational quality, and excellent aesthetics. to provide.

A recording medium loading device according to the present invention includes a transport tray on which a recording medium is placed, a loader section for advancing or retracting the transport tray along guide rails slidably engaged with a plurality of guide sections of the transport tray, A recording medium loading device comprising: a housing having at least a panel member defining an opening through which a loader unit is attached and through which the transport tray enters and exits, wherein the transport tray engages with the panel member in a closed state to define the opening. A tray panel to be closed, a first boss provided movably along a guide rail at a position spaced rearward from the tray panel, and a distance Y longer than a distance X over which the transport tray can move from the first boss. and a second boss provided on the front side so as to be movable along the guide rail, wherein the guide rail of the loader part has a narrow width so that the first boss of the transport tray is engaged in the closed state. a groove portion, a second groove portion provided at a distance X forward from the first groove portion and having a narrow width so that the first boss of the carrier tray is engaged in an open state, and a distance Y forward from the second groove portion. and a third groove that is spaced apart and narrows to engage with the second boss of the carrier tray in the open state.

Preferably, in the recording medium loading device of the present invention, the tray panel of the transport tray has a convex portion projecting rearward, and the panel member of the housing engages the convex portion around the opening in the closed state. It has a recess.

Preferably, in the recording medium loading device of the present invention, the transport tray further includes a plurality of hooks for sandwiching the guide rails between itself and the plurality of guides, and at least one of the plurality of guides and the plurality of hooks The carrier tray advances or retreats while the same four points are in contact with the guide rails.

Further, an electronic device or an audiovisual device according to the present invention includes the recording medium loading device described above.

The operation of the present invention will be described below.

The recording medium loading device of the present invention includes a transport tray (3) on which a recording medium is placed, and guide rails (4a) slidably engaged with a plurality of guide portions (3e to 3h) of the transport tray (3). A loader section (4) for advancing or retracting the transport tray (3) along the path, and a panel member (1) to which the loader section (4) is attached and which defines an opening (1a) through which the transport tray (3) enters and exits. and a housing having at least.

The transport tray (3) includes a tray panel (2) that engages with the panel member (1) in the closed state to close the opening (1a), and a guide rail ( 4a) and a first boss (3i) provided movably along the guide rail (4a) and a distance Y longer than the distance X over which the transport tray (3) can move from the first boss (3i) to the guide rail (4a). and a second boss (3j) provided on the front side so as to be movable along. In the recording medium loading device, the tray panel (2) of the transport tray (3) has a convex portion (2a) projecting rearward, and the panel member (1) of the housing extends around the opening (1a). It may have a concave portion (1b) with which the convex portion (2a) engages in the closed state.

Furthermore, the guide rail (4a) of the loader section (4) has a narrow first groove (4c) so that the first boss (3i) of the carrier tray (3) is engaged in the closed state. Therefore, in the closed state, the transport tray (3) is positioned on the front side between the tray panel (2) and the opening (1a), and the first boss (3i) of the transport tray (3) and the guide rail ( Positioning of the rear side is performed between the first groove portion (4c) of 4a).

Further, the guide rail (4a) of the loader section (4) is provided at a distance X from the first groove (4c) to the front side so as to engage with the first boss (3i) of the carrier tray in the open state. A second groove (4d) having a narrower width is provided at a distance Y in front of the second groove (4d) so that the second boss (3j) of the carrier tray (3) is engaged in the open state. and a third groove portion (4e) having a narrower width. Therefore, in the open state, the transport tray (3) is positioned on the rear side between the first boss (3i) and the second groove (4d) of the guide rail (4a), and is positioned with the second boss (3j). The front side is positioned between the guide rail (4a) and the third groove (4e).

As a result, the recording medium loading device can position the transport tray (3) and the opening (1a) of the panel member (1) in the closed state by two positioning positions in the front-rear direction. In addition, the recording medium loading device can suppress the behavior of the transport tray (3) in the open state by positioning at two positions in the front-rear direction, and can ensure operation quality. Since the third positioning that requires high assembly accuracy is not required, the recording medium loading device of the present invention has the advantage of being able to be assembled at low cost and with high accuracy.

In the recording medium loading device, the transport tray (3) further has a plurality of hook portions (3a to 3d) for sandwiching the guide rails (4a, 4b) between the transport tray (3) and the plurality of guide portions (3e to 3h). preferable. The carrier tray (3) advances or retreats while at least four of the plurality of guide portions (3e to 3h) and the plurality of hook portions (3a to 3d) are in contact with the guide rails (4a, 4b). can be done. Therefore, the unloading operation/loading operation can be performed smoothly without causing swinging behavior of the carrier tray (3), and high operation quality can be realized.

The recording medium loading device of the present invention can realize accurate positioning of the transport tray in the open/closed state at low cost, has smooth unloading/loading operations, has high operational quality, and is excellent in appearance. Electronic or audiovisual equipment can be provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating a disc playback device 10 including a recording medium loading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (Example 1) 1 is a perspective view illustrating a panel member (1) that constitutes a recording medium loading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (Example 1) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transport tray (3) that constitutes a recording medium loading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; (Example 1) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transport tray (3) that constitutes a recording medium loading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; (Example 1) 4 is a diagram illustrating a loader section (4) that constitutes a recording medium loading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (Example 1) It is a figure explaining the closed state of the recording-medium loading apparatus by preferable embodiment of this invention. (Example 1) It is a figure explaining the closed state of the recording-medium loading apparatus by preferable embodiment of this invention. (Example 1) It is a figure explaining the open state of the recording-medium loading apparatus by preferable embodiment of this invention. (Example 1) It is a figure explaining the open state of the recording-medium loading apparatus by preferable embodiment of this invention. (Example 1)

A recording medium loading device according to preferred embodiments of the present invention and electronic equipment or audiovisual equipment using the same will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a disc playback device 10 including a recording medium loading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a closed state in which the carrier tray 3 of the disc reproducing apparatus 10 is accommodated, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating an open state in which the tray 3 is ejected. The disc playback device 10 is a disc drive device equipped with a recording medium loading device (a carousel changer in this embodiment) that unloads (ejects)/loads (loads) a plurality of (not shown) optical discs, For example, it constitutes an audiovisual device such as a CD player.

1A and 1B, the top plate that covers the inside of the housing 5 is removed so as not to be shown. In the following figures, illustration and explanation of the detailed structure of the housing of the disk reproducing apparatus 10 other than the recording medium loading device, which are not necessary for explanation, are omitted, and part of the transport tray 3 is shown transparently. and its configuration.

A housing 5 of the disc reproducing apparatus 10 has a rectangular opening 1a in a front panel 1, and a tray panel 2 closing the opening 1a is connected to a carrier tray 3 that moves back and forth. When the user presses an operation button that gives an instruction to a microcomputer (not shown) that controls unloading/loading operations, the loader section 4 moves the tray panel 2 and the carrier tray 3 back and forth. The microcomputer sends a predetermined command to a motor (not shown) of the loader section 4, which will be described later, and rotates the motor to operate a rack-and-pinion mechanism connected to the carrier tray 3 provided in the loader section 4. When the user places the optical disc on the carrier tray 3 and causes the carrier tray 3 to be loaded and accommodates the carrier tray 3, the user can perform processing for playing back the optical disc in the disc drive device integrated with the recording medium loading device.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the front panel 1 is a member molded from resin or a member molded by aluminum extrusion, and has a substantially rectangular opening 1a at its central portion. As shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 2B or FIG. 2C, stepped portions with which the tray panel 2 abuts are provided at positions recessed from the panel surface on the left and right sides of the edge defining the opening 1a. 1b, 1c) are provided.

3A is a perspective view showing the top side of the carrier tray 3, and FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the bottom side of the carrier tray 3. FIG. The transport tray 3 of this embodiment is a member molded of resin, and six optical discs can be placed on the upper surface thereof. It is intended for unloading/loading operations so that at least one optical disc in the disc can be exchanged. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport tray 3 moves forward by a distance X when it changes from the closed state to the open state.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C or 4A, the tray panel 2 is a member molded of resin, and is connected to the end of the transport tray 3 on the front side. The tray panel 2 seen from the front is a decorative member that improves the design of the carrier tray 3. It also positions the carrier tray 3 in the closed state and allows the opening 1a of the front panel 1 to be opened when the carrier tray 3 is accommodated. It is closed to prevent dirt or dust from entering the inside of the housing 5.例文帳に追加

As shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 3B or FIG. 3C, the tray panel 2 is provided at its left and right ends with projections 2a and 2b that protrude rearward. Protrusions 2a and 2b are adapted to engage with recesses 1b and 1c provided around opening 1a of front panel 1, respectively, in the closed state. In this embodiment, the left recessed portion 1b, which is a through hole, is a circular hole, and the right recessed portion 1c, which is a through hole, is an oblong hole elongated in the left-right direction.

4 is a diagram showing the bottom side of the transport tray 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E, the transport tray 3 having a substrate made of resin is placed on the lower surface side opposite to the upper surface side on which the optical disk is placed, and on the guide rails 4a and 4b of the loader section 4, which will be described later. Slidingly engaging guides 3e and 3f and 3g and 3h are provided, respectively. As shown in the partially enlarged views of FIGS. 4B to 4E, the guide portions (3e to 3h) are plane portions included in the ribs formed so that the overall height of the ribs extending in the front-rear direction becomes higher at that location. There is, and it becomes a sliding surface with respect to the guide rail (4a, 4b) of the loader part 4. As shown in FIG. The two guide portions 3e and 3f arranged on one side in the left-right direction are spaced apart in the front-rear direction by the distance X that the transport tray 3 moves. Similarly, the two guide portions 3h and 3g arranged on the other side in the left-right direction are spaced apart in the front-rear direction by the distance X that the transport tray 3 moves.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the lower surface of the transport tray 3 is provided with a first boss 3i that slidably engages with the guide rail 4a of the loader section 4 immediately behind the guide section 3e. there is Further, a second boss 3j that is slidably engaged with the guide rail 4a of the loader section 4 is provided on the front side by a distance Y longer than the distance X from the first boss 3i. As a result, the two guide portions 3e and 3f separated by a distance X are arranged to be sandwiched between the two first bosses 3i and second bosses 3j separated by a distance Y longer than the distance X. It is The first boss 3i and the second boss 3j of this embodiment are formed as columnar portions wider than the guide portion 3e or 3f.

Further, near the guide portions (3e to 3h) of the transport tray 3, there are a plurality of hook portions (3a to 3d) that hold the guide rails (4a, 4b) between themselves and the guide portions (3e to 3h). is further provided. The hook portions (3a to 3d), along with the guide portions (3e to 3h), are arranged so that the transport tray 3 can move forward or backward while being in contact with the guide rails (4a, 4b) of the loader portion 4. It slides against rails (4a, 4b).

Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, on the upper surface side of the loader section 4, a guide rail 4a and a guide rail 4b are provided on the left and right sides, respectively. The guide rail 4a and the guide rail 4b form a groove provided in the front-rear direction, and the bottom of the groove includes a flat surface on which the guide portions (3e to 3h) of the transport tray 3 can slide in the front-rear direction. . Specifically, guide portions 3e and 3f of the transport tray 3 and two first and second bosses 3i and 3j are slidably arranged on the guide rail 4a arranged on one side in the left-right direction. be. Guide portions 3g and 3h of the transport tray 3 are slidably arranged on the guide rail 4b arranged on the other side in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and partially enlarged views of FIGS. 5B to 5D, the guide rail 4a has a first groove portion 4c whose width is narrower at the rearmost side, and a distance X from the first groove portion 4c to the front side. and a third groove 4e having a narrow width at a position spaced forward from the second groove 4d by a distance Y are formed. The widths of the first groove portion 4c, the second groove portion 4d and the third groove portion 4e are adjusted to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the cylindrical diameters of the first boss 3i and the second boss 3j.

That is, the rearmost first groove portion 4c is a portion whose width is narrowed so that the first boss 3i of the transport tray 3 is engaged in the closed state. The second groove portion 4d located in the middle is a portion with a narrower width so that the first boss 3i of the transport tray 3 is engaged in the open state. Further, the third groove portion 4e on the frontmost side has a narrow width so that the second boss 3j of the transport tray 3 is engaged in the open state. When the narrowed groove portion of the guide rail 4a engages with the first boss 3i or the second boss 3j, the transport tray 3 moving in the front-rear direction can be positioned with respect to the loader portion 4. FIG.

6A, 6B, 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the case where the disc reproducing apparatus 10 is closed and the transport tray 3 is accommodated. 8, 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining the case where the transport tray 3 is ejected in the open state. 6A and 8 are side sectional views of the disc reproducing apparatus 10, and FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 6A. 7A and 9A are plan views of the disk reproducing device 10 as seen from the top, and illustration of the front panel 1 and the housing 5 is omitted. 7B, 7C, 9B, and 9C are cross-sectional views enlarging a part of the portion hidden below the transport tray 3 in FIGS. 7A and 9A, respectively.

6A and 6B, in the closed state of the disc reproducing apparatus 10, the front end side of the transport tray 3 consists of projections 2a and 2b provided on both left and right ends of the tray panel 2, which protrude rearward, and a front end. It is positioned by engaging with the recess 1b or the recess 1c provided around the opening 1a of the panel 1, and the stationary position is determined. The right recessed portion 1c is an oval hole that is long in the left-right direction, and is slightly larger than the left recessed portion 1b, which is a circular hole. In addition, even if the molding dimensions of the front panel 1 or the tray panel 2 fluctuate within the range of tolerance, the tray panel 2 collides with the periphery of the opening 1a of the front panel 1 and causes a problem such as loading stack. do not do.

In the closed state of the disc reproducing apparatus 10, the first boss 3i of the carrier tray 3 and the first boss 3i are slidably arranged on the rear end side of the carrier tray 3, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Positioning is performed in the left-right direction by engaging with the first groove portion 4c having a narrower groove width at the rearmost side of the guide rail 4a. Positioning in the vertical direction is performed by a guide portion 3e provided near the first boss 3i and a hook portion 3a that clamps the guide rail 4a.

In the closed state of the disc reproducing apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 7C, the width of the groove is increased between the second boss 3j of the transport tray 3 and the guide rail 4a on which the second boss 3j is slidably arranged. It is arranged so as not to engage with the second groove portion 4d, which becomes narrower. This is because the two first bosses 3i and the second bosses 3 are arranged so as to be spaced apart by a distance Y that is longer than the distance X that the transport tray 3 moves. As a result, in the closed state of the disc reproducing apparatus 10, the front end side (the convex portion 2a and the concave portion 1b, the convex portion 2b and the concave portion 1c) and the rear end side (the first boss 3i and the first groove portion 4c) of the transport tray 3 Since only one point is positioned, there is no need to provide a third positioning that requires very high assembly accuracy.

When the disk reproducing apparatus 10 is open, the transport tray 3 advances forward by a distance X, so that the front end of the transport tray 3 protrudes forward from the opening 1a of the front panel 1 as shown in FIG. Cannot be directly supported and positioned. Therefore, in the open state, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C, the second boss 3j of the carrier tray 3 and the width of the groove narrow at the frontmost side of the guide rail 4a on which the second boss 3j is slidably arranged. The lateral direction is positioned by engaging with the third groove portion 4e. Positioning in the vertical direction is performed by a guide portion 3f provided near the second boss 3j and a hook portion 3b that clamps the guide rail 4a.

In the open state of the disk reproducing apparatus 10, the first boss 3i of the carrier tray 3 and the first boss 3i are slidably arranged on the rear end side of the carrier tray 3, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Positioning in the left-right direction is achieved by engaging with a second groove portion 4d in which the width of the groove portion is narrowed in the middle of the guide rail 4a. Positioning in the vertical direction is performed by a guide portion 3e provided near the first boss 3i and a hook portion 3a that clamps the guide rail 4a. In other words, even when the disk reproducing apparatus 10 is open, the two positions of the front end side (the second boss 3j and the third groove portion 4e) and the rear end side (the first boss 3i and the second groove portion 4d) of the transport tray 3 are positioned. , there is no need to provide a third positioning which requires very high assembly accuracy.

In the disc reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the positioning of the transport tray 3 can be completed at two front and rear positions in both the closed state and the open state without providing a third positioning that requires extremely high assembly accuracy. It has the advantage of being able to be assembled with high precision at low cost.

Further, as described above, the transport tray 3 moves forward while at least the same four of the plurality of guide portions (3e to 3h) and the plurality of hook portions (3a to 3d) are in contact with the guide rails 4a or 4b. or retreat. Specifically, only the guide portions 3e and 3f that slide against the bottom surface of the guide rail 4a and the guide portions 3g and 3h that slide against the bottom surface of the guide rail 4b are the portions that are in sliding contact. , the contact portion does not change until the transport tray 3 stops moving. Therefore, this structure can prevent the carrier tray 3 from swinging or rocking like a seesaw, smoothing the unloading/loading operation, and achieving high operational quality. .

In this embodiment, the first groove portion 4c, the second groove portion 4d and the third groove portion 4e are provided only on one guide rail 4a, but the first groove portion 4c corresponding to the immediate vicinity of the guide portions 3h and 3g is provided. If the boss 3i and the second boss 3j are provided on the carrier tray 3, the corresponding first groove portion 4c, second groove portion 4d and third groove portion 4e may be similarly provided on the other guide rail 4b. good.

The invention is not limited to the above examples. The guide portion of the carrier tray 3 and the guide rail of the loader portion 4 may be formed at positions close to the center of the substrate in the left-right direction. Also, the tray panel 2 and the transport tray 3 may be integrally formed.

The recording medium loading device of the present invention can be applied not only to the disc reproducing device 10 for recording and reproducing video signals or audio signals, but also to recording medium loading devices for other equipment such as audiovisual equipment or electronic computers. .

1 Front panel 1a Openings 1b, 1c Recess 2 Tray panels 2a, 2b Protrusion 3 Transport trays 3a-3d Hooks 3e-3h Guides 3i-3j Boss 4 Loader 4a Guide rails 4c-4e Groove 5 Housing 10 Disc playback Device

Claims (4)

A transport tray on which a recording medium is placed, a loader section for advancing or retracting the transport tray along guide rails slidably engaged with a plurality of guide sections of the transport tray, and the loader section are attached. A recording medium loading device comprising: a housing having at least a panel member defining an opening for entering and exiting the transport tray,
a tray panel that engages with the panel member to close the opening when the transport tray is in a closed state; and a second boss provided on the front side so as to be movable along the guide rail apart from the first boss by a distance Y longer than the distance X by which the transport tray can move,
The guide rail of the loader section is provided with a first groove having a narrower width so that the first boss of the carrier tray is engaged in the closed state, and is spaced forward from the first groove by the distance X. a second groove having a width narrowed so that the first boss of the transport tray is engaged in the open state; a third groove that narrows to engage the second boss of the tray;
Recording medium loading device. The tray panel of the transport tray has a protrusion projecting rearward, and the panel member of the housing has a recess around the opening with which the protrusion engages in the closed state.
The recording medium loading device according to claim 1. The transport tray further has a plurality of hook portions sandwiching the guide rail between the plurality of guide portions, and at least the same four locations among the plurality of guide portions and the plurality of hook portions correspond to the guide rail. the transport tray advances or retreats while in contact with
3. The recording medium loading device according to claim 2. An electronic device or an audiovisual device comprising the recording medium loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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