Dynamic information storage or retrieval – With particular cabinet structure – Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-12-11
Ometz, David L. (Department: 2153)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
With particular cabinet structure
Slotted for edgewise insertion of storage disc
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330216
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a recording medium transfer apparatus, which uses a one-direction motor as a drive source for reciprocally transferring a recording medium, such as a disc or a tape cassette.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a recording medium transfer apparatus provided in a disc player, a cassette deck and so forth, which uses a motor as a drive source for the loading and unloading of a recording medium, the rotational direction of the motor is usually switched for the loading and the unloading.
Where a two-direction motor is used, however, a polarity inversion circuit is required, thus leading to increase of manufacturing cost. It is thus desired to use a one-direction motor for reducing the cost of manufacture. If a one-direction motor is to be used as a drive source for the reciprocal transfer of the recording medium, however, a direction change mechanism employing an electromagnet or the like has to be assembled in a power transmission line from the motor to the transfer means. Therefore, the power transmission line is complicated, leading to high price of the mechanical portions.
In another aspect, if the recording medium transfer speed when taking out a recording medium is high, the recording medium may be forced to get out of a recording medium insertion slot. Accordingly, it is desired that the recording medium transfer speed is high when loading the medium and low when unloading the same. For providing different transfer speeds for the loading and unloading, however, it is necessary to control the motor rotation as such, thus leading to complication of the motor control circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to solve the above problems. Specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a recording medium transfer apparatus, which uses a one-direction motor as a drive source, and permits reciprocal transfer of the recording medium without complication of the power transmission line from the motor to transfer means, as well as simple in construction and permitting inexpensive manufacture and easy change in the recording medium transfer speed for the loading and unloading of the recording medium.
Another object of the invention is to permit the motor to serve as a common motor and be operated as a drive source for other separate process performed subsequent to the transfer of recording medium.
A further object of the invention is to permit satisfactory setting of the timings of the start and stop of the motor.
The recording medium transfer apparatus according to the invention comprises a rotation member driven for rotation by a one-direction motor, an idler gear, and a transfer means. The rotation member has a partial gear and a push member, the partial gear being held in mesh with the idler gear only during rotation of the rotation member for a predetermined angle.
The transfer means has a gear portion in mesh with the idler gear and a contact portion. The transfer means is caused, with its contact portion pushed by the push member, to undergo rocking movement in one direction. After separation of the push member from the contact portion, the transfer means is rocked in the other direction with the partial gear held in mesh without idler gear. The recording medium is thus reciprocally transferred by the transfer means with reciprocal rocking movement thereof caused during one rotation of the rotation member.
With this arrangement, it is possible to obtain reciprocal transfer of a recording medium by using an inexpensive one-direction motor as a drive source and without complicating the power transmission line from the motor to the transfer means.
In addition, since different power transmission line from the rotation member to the transfer means are provided for the loading and unloading of the recording medium, it is readily possible without complicating the construction to provide a high transfer speed for the loading and a relatively low transfer speed for the unloading.
Particularly, the push member has a push portion for pushing the contact portion and arcuate surfaces or holding the contact portion at predetermined positions after separation of the contact portion from the push portion.
With this arrangement, it is possible, when the invention is applied to, for instance, a disc transfer apparatus of a disc player, to utilize the torque of the rotation member for causing such operation as holding a disc, which has been transferred to a playing portion, with the transfer means held at a predetermined position.
Furthermore, the timings of starting and stopping the one-direction motor are set as follows. The transfer means is pushed and rocked in one direction by an inserted recording medium. As a result, the motor is started with the contact portion of the transfer means brought to an orbit of rocking of the push member, and stopped after separation of the push member from the contact portion. Also, in response to an operation of unloading the recording medium, the motor is started to bring the partial gear into mesh with the idler gear, and it is stopped when the rotation member has competed one rotation.
By the above arrangement, the timings of starting and stopping the motor can be set satisfactorily.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4127882 (1978-11-01), Kohl et al.
patent: 4477889 (1984-10-01), Miyako
patent: 5572497 (1996-11-01), Kim et al.
patent: 5793729 (1998-08-01), Soga et al.
patent: 5986981 (1999-11-01), Takemasa et al.
patent: 6028831 (2000-02-01), Scholz et al.
Akatani Shigeru
Nishimura Shozo
Shitamichi Akeshi
Yamanaka Takashi
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Kupstas Tod
Ometz David L.
Tanashin Denki Co. Ltd.
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