Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Dynamic mechanism subsystem – Having power driven transducer assembly
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-09-04
Davis, David (Department: 2652)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Dynamic mechanism subsystem
Having power driven transducer assembly
C369S215100, C369S249100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285649
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disc player, particularly to a compatible disc player capable of recording information on or reproducing information from DVD (digital video disc) and CD (compact disc).
A conventional compatible disc player comprises a driving system (using a spindle motor) for rotatably driving an optical disc, a servo mechanism mounting an optical pickup, both of which are arranged independently from each other on a base frame of the player.
The servo mechanism is movably connected with two mutually parallel guide shafts arranged on the base frame in a manner such that the center of the optical pickup may move along a trace coincident with a straight line passing through the center of an optical disc mounted on a turntable.
The optical pickup (two-focus optical pickup) is mounted on the servo mechanism. A driving motor is provided for reciprocatingly driving the servo mechanism through a group of driving force transmitting gears.
The optical pickup is fabricated so that when in use a laser beam emitted from a laser diode is allowed to pass through an objective lens and converged on to an optical disc so as to record information on the disc. Further, the optical pickup is also fabricated so that when in use a laser beam is allowed to irradiate an optical disc, a light beam reflected from the optical disc is permitted to pass through the objective lens to arrive at a photo-detector provided within the optical pickup, so as to reproduce information previously recorded on the optical disc. However, to ensure proper information recording and reproducing, it is extremely important to perform adjustments (tangential adjustment and radial adjustment) on the optical axis of the optical pickup, corresponding to a possible inclination of the optical disc mounted on the turntable.
For the above reason, an automatic optical axis adjusting device having a step motor is used to adjust the optical axis of an optical pickup. In detail, an upper chassis is mounted on the base frame. Between the upper chassis and the base frame is provided an optical axis adjusting device having adjustment screws capable of raising and lowering end portions of the guide shafts by virtue of the step motor. In this way, it is possible to adjust the optical axis of an optical pickup by raising or lowering the end portions of the guide shafts.
However, there are at least the following problems associated with the above-discussed conventional compatible disc player. Namely, since the driving system, the servo mechanism, and the base frame are arranged independently from one another, it is difficult to manufacture the disc player compact in size. Moreover, due to the above-discussed structure of the conventional compatible disc player, there are too many parts and elements forming the player, resulting in a high cost in manufacturing a compatible disc player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a disc player having an improved optical axis adjusting system for adjusting the optical axis of an optical pickup, rendering the player to be manufactured with a reduced size using fewer parts and elements, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems peculiar to the above-discussed prior art.
According to the present invention, there is provided a disc player, comprising: an optical pickup for producing a laser beam onto an optical disc which is being rotated by virtue of a spindle motor; two guide shafts disposed on opposite sides of the optical pickup for guiding the movement of said optical pickup; and adjusting means for adjusting the position of each guide shaft. In particular, the spindle motor is fixed on a chassis which forms part of the adjusting means.
In one aspect of the present invention, the spindle motor is disposed on the inner side of the chassis, which is opposite to the outer side thereof where a turntable is provided for mounting an optical disc.
In another aspect of the present invention, the adjusting means includes a plurality of cylindrical holders and the same number of adjustment screws to be engaged into the cylindrical holders, further includes urging means provided in each cylindrical holder for urging end portion of each guide shaft in a predetermined direction.
In further aspect of the present invention, the chassis forms end walls for the cylindrical holders.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, the urging means includes a plurality of leaf springs each serving as one wall for each cylindrical holder.
In one more aspect of the present invention, the urging means includes a plurality of adjustment screws each having a sharp front end adapted to press against an outer periphery surface of a guide shaft.
The above objects and features of the present invention will become better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5111088 (1992-05-01), Fujino
patent: 5375115 (1994-12-01), Shimegi et al.
patent: 5761182 (1998-06-01), Jeon
patent: 5764618 (1998-06-01), Kim
patent: 5995478 (1999-11-01), Park
Abstract of Japanese Patent Publication No. 11025466, dated Jan. 29, 1999.
Bessho Akira
Ishikawa Tomonari
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Davis David
Pioneer Electronic Corporation
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