CD-ROM reader mechanism

Details CD-ROM reader mechanism CD-ROM reader mechanism

1999-03-01

2001-06-26

Miller, Brian E. (Department: 2153)

Dynamic information storage or retrieval

With particular cabinet structure

Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc

C369S247100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06252839

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a CD-ROM, and in particular to a reader mechanism of a CD-ROM.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
CD-ROMs have been widely used in multi-media apparatus for reading digitized information from an optic disk. The CD-ROM comprises a reader device which is movable toward/away from the optic disk in order to read the information therefrom. A conventional mechanism for moving the CD-ROM reader head is shown in
FIG. 5
of the attached drawings, comprising a movable inner frame B on which a reader device A is fixed. The movable inner frame B is arranged in an outer frame C and pivotally supported thereby by means of pivots
1
B extending from the inner frame B for being received in pivot holes
1
C defined in the outer frame C. Each pivot
1
B is retained in the corresponding pivot hole
1
C by a bolt
2
C. The inner frame B is movably coupled to a curved track member D. The curved track member D is movable in a horizontal direction by means of a motor E via gears
1
D,
2
D and converts the horizontal movement thereof into a vertical movement of the inner frame B thereby rotating the inner frame B about the pivots
1
B. The reader device A that is supported on the inner frame B is moved between a working position (
FIG. 7
) where the reader head A is close to an optic disk (not labeled) for reading information therefrom and a standby position (
FIG. 6
) where the reader device A is moved away from the optic disk.
In the conventional CD-ROM, the inner frame B and the outer frame C are separate so that it requires an assembling step to assemble the inner frame B and the outer frame C together. This increases costs. Furthermore, it also requires a careful consideration of the assembling sequence among the inner frame B, the curved track member D and gears D
1
, D
2
. This complicates the manufacturing process.
In addition, plays or clearances caused by manufacturing tolerances may be present between the pivots
1
B and the corresponding pivot holes
1
C which may lead to vibration of the inner frame B during the operation of the CD-ROM and may even generate noise.
It is thus desirable to have a reader mechanism of a CD-ROM which overcomes the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a reader mechanism of a CD-ROM wherein a movable inner frame and a fixed outer frame are integrated together as a single unit for simplifying assembling process of the CD-ROM.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reader mechanism of a CD-ROM wherein no vibration of a movable frame may be caused due to manufacturing tolerances.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a reader mechanism of a CD-ROM having low manufacturing costs.
To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a CD-ROM reader mechanism comprising a movable inner frame supporting a reader device thereon and being movably received in a fixed outer frame. At least one pair of flexible hinges are integrally formed between the inner Fame and the outer frame at opposite sides to pivotally support the inner frame in the outer frame thereby allowing a front end of the inner frame to move between an upper position where the reader device is allowed to access an optic disk and a lower position where the reader device is moved away from the optic disk. The flexible hinges each include an undulated structure made of a deformable material. The undulated structure has a plurality of cavities therein which allow the structure to collapse for serving as a hinge.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4101134 (1978-07-01), Smith, III et al.
patent: 5123005 (1992-06-01), Kurosu
patent: 5737304 (1998-04-01), Soga et al.
patent: 5822290 (1998-10-01), Lee
patent: 6122145 (2000-09-01), Hoyle

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