JPWO1996016403A1 - Recording medium loading device and recording and/or playback device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] A recording and playback device includes a cartridge holder that holds a disk cartridge used as a recording medium for information signals and that is movable between a first position that allows the disk cartridge to be inserted or removed and a second position that allows the disk cartridge to be mounted in a mounting portion of a recording and playback unit, an elevation mechanism including an elevation operation plate that raises and lowers the cartridge holder relative to the mounting portion, and a movement operation mechanism that moves the cartridge holder and the elevation operation plate. The movement operation mechanism moves the cartridge holder from the first position to the second position by rotating a rotating body within a first rotation range, and moves the elevation operation plate by rotating the rotating body within a second rotation range that is continuous with the first rotation range. The recording and playback unit includes a mechanism that restricts movement of the cartridge holder relative to a base plate on which the recording and playback unit is formed when the cartridge holder is moved between the first and second positions, and the restriction on movement of the elevation operation plate is released in conjunction with the movement of the lift operation plate in a direction that moves the cartridge holder toward or away from the mounting portion, allowing movement in the direction toward or away from the mounting portion. Therefore, a series of operations from the operation of transporting the disk cartridge held by the cartridge holder to the operation of mounting the disk cartridge in the mounting portion are performed by a common moving operation mechanism.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Title of the Invention Recording Medium Loading Device and Recording and/or Playback Device Technical Field The present invention relates to a loading device for loading a recording medium, such as an optical disc on which information signals are recorded, particularly a recording medium such as a disc cartridge containing an optical disc, into a mounting portion configured within the device body, and to a recording medium recording and/or playback device equipped with this loading device.

BACKGROUND ART Disks such as optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and magnetic disks have traditionally been used as recording media for information signals. These types of disks are housed in cartridges to form disk cartridges. Recording and playback devices that use such disk cartridges as recording media position and load the disk cartridge into a loading section, and record and/or play back information signals on the disk housed in the disk cartridge via information signal recording and/or playback means.

A recording/playback device that uses an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk as a recording medium has an optical pickup device or a magnetic head, which constitutes a means for recording and/or playing back information signals, disposed at a position corresponding to the disk cartridge mounting portion.

Recording and playback devices that use optical discs and other disks as recording media are equipped with a loading mechanism for automatically loading a disk cartridge into a disk loading section within the device body. The loading mechanism used in this recording and playback device includes a holder for inserting and holding the disk cartridge, a position that allows the disk cartridge to be inserted and removed from the holder, and a movement mechanism for moving the holder. This movement mechanism moves the holder between a position that allows the disk cartridge to be inserted and removed and a position that allows the disk cartridge to be inserted and removed into the disk loading section. That is, when the holder is moved to a position that allows the disk cartridge to be inserted and removed, the disk cartridge is inserted and removed from the holder through an insertion and removal opening provided in the outer casing that constitutes the device body. When the holder is moved to a position that allows the disk cartridge to be inserted and removed into the disk loading section, the disk cartridge is inserted and removed from the disk loading section.

The disk cartridge inserted and held in the holder, which has been moved to a position allowing insertion and removal of the disk cartridge, is then moved together with the holder in a direction parallel to the main surface of the disk contained in the cartridge until it faces the loading section, and then moved in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the disk to be loaded into the loading section.

When performing an ejection operation to eject a disc cartridge loaded in the loading section out of the device body, the loading mechanism first moves the disc cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the disc's main surface to remove it from the loading section, and then moves it together with the holder in a direction parallel to the disc's main surface toward the insertion/removal opening.

In slot-in recording/playback devices in which a disk cartridge is loaded through an insertion/ejection slot provided in the device body, a portion of the disk cartridge must protrude from the insertion/ejection slot when ejecting the disk cartridge. The insertion/ejection slots provided in this type of recording/playback device are simply slots approximately equal in thickness and width to the disk cartridge, making it impossible to insert fingers into the device body to remove the disk cartridge. Therefore, when ejecting a disk cartridge inserted in a loading section within the device body, at least a portion of the disk cartridge must protrude outside the device body through the insertion/ejection slot so that it can be grasped with fingers. To ensure that a portion of the disk cartridge is exposed outside the device body through the insertion/ejection slot during ejection, the holder that holds the disk cartridge and feeds it must have a large range of movement.

As a result, the recording/reproducing device itself becomes larger.

Furthermore, some recording/playback devices use a spring to project the disk cartridge from the holder during the ejection operation, causing the insertion/removal slot to project outward from the device body. Recording/playback devices that use a spring to project the disk cartridge outward from the device body are configured such that the holder is moved to a specific position inside the device body, and then the spring's force is used to project the disk cartridge outward from this position. Therefore, this recording/playback device allows for a smaller range of holder movement, making it possible to reduce the size of the device itself.

However, in recording/playback devices that use a spring to eject a disc cartridge from the insertion/ejection slot, the amount of protrusion from the insertion/ejection slot can be inconsistent depending on the surface condition of the disc cartridge and its outer shape. Furthermore, if the spring force that biases the disc cartridge is too strong, the disc cartridge will protrude too rapidly from the insertion/ejection slot during the ejection operation, and even the disc cartridge may be ejected from the device itself. To prevent such abrupt ejection, loading devices equipped with a braking mechanism are also used. However, this not only complicates the mechanism, but also makes it difficult to set the appropriate braking force of the spring and the braking mechanism, resulting in inconsistent ejection of the disc cartridge.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a novel recording medium loading device and recording and/or playback device that solves the problems inherent in conventional loading devices and recording and/or playback devices.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the device for loading a recording medium such as a disk cartridge into a loading section within the device body, thereby achieving a reduction in the size of the recording and/or playback device itself.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a loading device and a recording and/or playback device that allows for a large range of movement of the disk cartridge while narrowing the range of movement of the holder serving as a holding means for holding a disk cartridge containing an optical disk or other disk, thereby enabling reliable loading into the loading section and reliable ejection.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the loading device of the present invention comprises a base and a mounting section into which a recording medium is mounted; a holder that holds the inserted recording medium and is movable between a first position, which holds the inserted recording medium and allows the inserted recording medium to be removed, and a second position located above the mounting section; a moving mechanism that moves the holder from the first position to the second position by rotating the holder through a first range; a mounting mechanism that is driven by a second rotational motion subsequent to the first rotational motion of the moving mechanism and mounts the holder moved to the second position by the moving mechanism into the mounting section; and a restricting means provided in the mounting mechanism that restricts movement of the holder relative to the base when the holder is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position and releases the restriction on movement of the holder relative to the base in conjunction with the mounting mechanism's operation to mount the holder into the mounting section.

Furthermore, the loading device according to the present invention comprises an ejection mechanism provided in the holder for moving the disc cartridge held by the holder in a direction that causes the disc cartridge to protrude from the holder, and a movement mechanism for driving the ejection mechanism in a direction that causes the disc cartridge inserted in the holder to protrude from the holder.

The recording and/or playback device according to the present invention also includes a recording and/or playback unit for recording and/or playing back information on a disk, the recording and/or playback unit having a head that is in sliding contact with one side of the disk, the disk being supported so as to be movable between a position in sliding contact with the disk on which an information signal stored in a disk cartridge is recorded and a position spaced apart from the disk; a holder that holds an inserted disk cartridge and is movable between a first position that allows the inserted disk cartridge to be removed and a second position located above the recording and/or playback unit; moving means for moving the holder from the first position to the second position by a first rotational movement; a mounting mechanism that is driven by a second rotational movement of the moving means subsequent to the first rotational movement of the moving means to mount the holder moved to the second position by the moving means on the recording and/or playback unit; and a head moving mechanism that is driven by the mounting mechanism to move the head between a position in sliding contact with the disk and a position spaced apart from the disk.

Furthermore, the recording and/or playback device according to the present invention includes a base on which the recording and/or playback unit is disposed, and a restricting means provided in the mounting mechanism for mounting the holder to the recording and/or playback unit, restricting movement of the holder relative to the base when the holder is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, and releasing the restriction on movement of the holder relative to the base in conjunction with the mounting mechanism's operation to mount the holder to the recording and/or playback unit.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereof, which will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recordable disk cartridge containing a magneto-optical disk used as a recording medium for a recording and/or playback device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disk cartridge as seen from the side where it is mounted on the disk table.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a read-only disk cartridge containing an optical disk used as a recording medium for the recording and/or playback device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disk cartridge as seen from the side where it is mounted on the disk table.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the support base on which the recording/playback unit mounting base on which the recording/playback unit is configured is supported.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a recording/reproducing unit mounting base on which the recording/reproducing unit is configured.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the top plate mounted on the support frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the cartridge holder in which the disc cartridge is held.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the relative positions of the cartridge holder, top plate, and lifting operation plate.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a lifting operation plate that restricts movement of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the cartridge holder in a state where it has been moved to a first position that allows the insertion and removal of a disk cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the cartridge holder moved to the first position.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the state in which the disk cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holder.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the cartridge holder beginning to move toward a second position within the outer casing.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the cartridge holder immediately after it starts to move toward the second position inside the outer casing.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the cartridge holder in the middle of moving toward the second position inside the outer casing.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state in which the cartridge holder has been moved to a second position facing the mounting portion.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing a state in which the cartridge holder has been moved to a second position facing the mounting portion.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the cartridge holder in the middle of moving toward the cartridge mounting portion.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing the cartridge holder in the middle of moving toward the cartridge mounting portion.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc cartridge held by the cartridge holder is loaded into the loading section.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing the disk cartridge mounted in the mounting portion.

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a recording mode in which a magnetic head device is brought into sliding contact with a magneto-optical disk in a disk cartridge loaded in a loading portion, thereby enabling recording of information signals.

FIG. 25 is a side view showing the recording mode state.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the start of an ejection operation in which the cartridge holder is moved from the second position toward the first position.

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a state in the middle of an ejection operation in which the cartridge holder moves from the second position toward the first position.

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the cartridge holder moved to the first position and the ejection operation that allows the disk cartridge to be removed is completed.

FIG. 29 is a side view showing the main part of a recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a front view showing the main part of a recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a rear view, with a portion cut away, showing the main part of the recording/reproducing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the rotating cover and the opening/closing mechanism for the rotating cover that opens and closes the insertion/removal opening provided in the outer casing.

FIG. 33 is a side view showing the state in which the rotating cover can open the insertion/removal opening.

FIG. 34 is a side view showing the state in which the rotating cover closes the insertion/removal opening.

FIG. 35 is a side view showing a cover control lever that controls the opening and closing of the pivot cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A loading device to which the present invention is applied and a recording/playback device equipped with this loading device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The loading device described here and the recording/playback device to which this loading device is applied use a disk cartridge, in which a disk is housed in a cartridge, as the recording medium on which information signals are recorded. That is, the disk as the recording medium is housed in the cartridge, and the disk and cartridge are loaded into a loading section within the recording/playback device.

[1] Disc Cartridge Before describing the loading device and recording/playback device to which the present invention is applied, we will explain the disc cartridge that is loaded by the loading device and used as the recording medium for the recording/playback device.

The disk cartridges used here include those configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which house magneto-optical disks that allow re-recording of information signals such as musical tone signals, and those configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which house read-only optical disks that have information signals such as musical tone signals pre-recorded on them and are used only for reproducing the recorded information signals.

The magneto-optical disk 201, on which information signals can be re-recorded, is constructed by depositing a signal recording layer made of a perpendicularly magnetized film on a disk substrate made of a transparent synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate, with a diameter of, for example, approximately 64 mm.

This signal recording layer is locally heated above its Curie temperature by a light beam emitted from a light source in an optical pickup device, and an external magnetic field is applied to the heated area, thereby recording an information signal. The recorded information signal is read by irradiating the signal recording layer with a linearly polarized light beam and detecting the rotation of the polarization direction of the returning light reflected from the signal recording layer due to the Kerr effect with a photodetector.

The read-only optical disk 231 is constructed by depositing a reflective layer made of a metal material such as aluminum on a disk substrate similar to that of the magneto-optical disk 201. A minute bit string corresponding to an information signal is formed on the optical disk 231, thereby recording the information signal in a fixed manner.

Information signals are recorded on this optical disc 231 by transferring a pre-formed pit sequence onto a stamper mounted in a mold during molding of the disc substrate. The information signals recorded on the read-only optical disc 231 are then read by irradiating the pit sequence with a light beam emitted from a light source of an optical pickup device and detecting the returning light reflected from the optical disc 231 with a photodetector.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the magneto-optical disk 201 and the optical disk 231 are both rotatably housed in cartridge bodies 205 and 216 to form disk cartridges 220 and 221.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recordable disk cartridge 220 capable of re-recording information signals stored on a magneto-optical disk 201 includes a rectangular cartridge body 205 with the outer diameter of the magneto-optical disk 201 as its inscribed circle. As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic head opening 223 is formed on the top surface of the cartridge body 205, exposing a portion of the signal recording area of the stored magneto-optical disk 201 to the outside, from both the inner and outer periphery. As shown in FIG. 2, an optical pickup device opening 222 is formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge body 205, facing the magnetic head opening 223. Similarly, an optical pickup device opening 222 is formed on the bottom surface of the cartridge body 205, exposing a portion of the signal recording area of the stored magneto-optical disk 201 to the outside, from both the inner and outer periphery. Furthermore, a circular central opening 213 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the cartridge body 205, through which a disk table, which constitutes a disk rotation mechanism for rotating the magneto-optical disk 201 stored in the cartridge body 205, enters.

A shutter member 206 for opening and closing each of the openings 223 and 222 is attached to the cartridge body 205 of the recordable disc cartridge 220.

The shutter member 206 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate. It consists of shutter plates large enough to cover the openings 223 and 222 and a connecting portion connecting the base ends of the shutter plates, forming a U-shaped cross section. Note that shutter members 206 made by molding synthetic resin are also used. The shutter member 206 is attached to the front side of the cartridge body 205 so that each shutter plate covers the corresponding opening 223 and 222, and moves along this front side to open and close the openings 223 and 222. The shutter member 206 has an engaging piece on the connecting portion that engages with a movement guide groove 207 formed on the front side of the cartridge body 205, which guides the engaging piece along the movement guide groove 207, ensuring stable linear movement.

The recordable disc cartridge 220 constructed as described above is inserted into and removed from the recording/reproducing device from one side perpendicular to the front side along which the shutter member 206 moves, which serves as the insertion end. That is, the disc cartridge 220 is inserted into and removed from the recording/reproducing device from the side perpendicular to the front side along which the shutter member 206 moves, as shown by the arrow X in FIGS. 1 and 2.₁ Direction and arrow X₁The optical disc is inserted into and removed from the recording/reproducing device in the direction of insertion/removal.

On the other hand, like the recordable disk cartridge 220, the disk cartridge 221 housing a read-only optical disk 231 also has a rectangular cartridge body 216 with the outer diameter of the optical disk 231 as its inscribed circle, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This disk cartridge 221 does not require a magnetic head used to record information signals to face the optical disk 231, so the top side of the cartridge body 216 is closed. The bottom side of the cartridge body 216 has an opening 222 that exposes a portion of the signal recording area of the optical disk 231 from both the inner and outer peripheries, and that faces an optical pickup device that irradiates the optical disk 231 with a light beam to read information signals recorded on the optical disk 231. Furthermore, a circular central opening 213 is formed in the center of the underside of the cartridge body 216, through which a disc table constituting a disc rotation mechanism for rotating the optical disc 231 housed in the cartridge body 216 enters.

This read-only disc cartridge 221 also has a shutter member 217 that opens and closes the opening 222. The shutter member 217 has a shutter plate large enough to close the opening 222, and the base end of the shutter plate is equipped with a support portion with a U-shaped cross section that movably supports the shutter member 217 on the cartridge body 216. The shutter member 217 is attached so that a portion of the support portion 217a engages with a movement guide groove 207 formed on the front side of the cartridge body 216, thereby clamping a portion of the cartridge body 216. The shutter member 217 attached in this manner is movable along the front side of the cartridge body 216 in a direction that opens and closes the opening 223.

Like the recordable disk cartridge 220, the read-only disk cartridge 221 configured as described above is inserted into and removed from the recording/reproducing device using the side surface perpendicular to the front side along which the shutter member 217 moves as the insertion end. That is, the disk cartridge 221 is inserted into and removed from the recording/reproducing device in the directions indicated by arrows _X1 and _X2 in Figures 3 and 4.

An engagement hole 208 is provided at the approximate center of the connection portion of the shutter member 206 attached to the recordable disc cartridge 220 and the support portion of the shutter member 217 attached to the read-only disc cartridge 221. The engagement hole 208 engages with a shutter closing member provided on the recording/playback device that moves the shutter members 206, 217, which have been moved to a position that opens the openings 222, 223, toward a position that closes the openings 222, 223 when the disc cartridges 220, 221 are ejected from the recording/playback device.

A circular center hole 204 for positioning is formed in the center of the magneto-optical disk 201 and optical disk 231 housed in each disk cartridge 220, 221. A chucking plate 202 is attached to the center of this center hole 204 so as to close it. This chucking plate 202 is made of a magnetic metal plate that can be attracted to a magnet. The center hole 204 and chucking plate 202 face outward from the cartridge bodies 205, 216 through a central opening 213 formed in the cartridge bodies 205, 216. The center hole 204 has a diameter of 11.0 mm with a tolerance of +0.1 mm, -0.0 mm.

The underside of the cartridge body 205, 216 of each disk cartridge 220, 221 is provided with a pair of positioning holes 209, 210 that engage with positioning pins provided on the mounting portion when the disk cartridge 220, 221 is mounted in the mounting portion of a recording/playback device. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, these positioning holes 209, 210 are located on both sides of the front side of the cartridge body 205, 216, where the shutter members 206, 217 are supported. That is, the positioning holes 209, 210 are positioned on either side of the opening 222. One of the positioning holes, 209, is formed with its major axis extending in the direction of movement of the shutter members 206, 217, allowing its engagement position with the positioning pin to be adjusted within the range of the major axis. The other positioning hole, 210, is formed in a perfect circle and regulates its engagement position with the positioning pin.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality of identification holes 224 are formed on the rear side of the cartridge bodies 205 and 216, opposite the front side where the positioning holes 209 and 210 are provided on the underside. These identification holes 224 indicate the type and status of the disc housed in the cartridge bodies 205 and 216, for example, whether or not information signals can be recorded. One of the identification holes 224 provided on the recordable disc cartridge 220 is used as a detection hole to prevent accidental recording, and is opened and closed by an accidental recording prevention member 214 movably attached within the cartridge body 205. That is, the identification hole 224 used as a detection hole to prevent accidental recording changes the depth of the identification hole 224 by moving the accidental recording prevention member 214, thereby switching the state of whether or not information signals can be recorded on the magneto-optical disc 201. Furthermore, on both sides of one side of the cartridge bodies 205, 216, which is the end that is inserted into the recording/playback device, there are formed engagement recesses 212 that engage with part of a retraction mechanism that retracts the disk cartridges 220, 221 into the recording/playback device.

2 and 4, the cartridge bodies 205 and 216 constituting the disk cartridges 220 and 221 are formed with a magneto-optical disk identification recess 211 or an optical disk identification recess 218 to indicate whether the disk cartridges 220 and 221 are recordable or read-only. These identification recesses 211 and 218 are located on the underside of the cartridge bodies 205 and 216, near the end where the cartridge is inserted into the recording and playback device. The disk identification recesses 211 and 218 are formed with different depths, and the difference in depth indicates whether the disk cartridges 220 and 221 are recordable or read-only.

[2] Disc Cartridge Loading Device and Disc Recording/Playback Device Equipped with This Loading Device Next, we will explain a disc recording/playback device equipped with a loading device into which a recordable disc cartridge 220 or a playback-only disc cartridge 221 configured as described above can be selectively loaded.

(1) Recording/Playback Unit As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the disk recording/playback device of this embodiment includes a recording/playback unit mounting base 2. This mounting base 2 is composed of a base plate 15 formed from a flat metal plate and a support frame 16 on which the base plate 15 is supported. The support frame 16 is formed by molding synthetic resin and is composed of a frame portion 16a that rises to surround the periphery of the base plate 15 and a mounting plate portion 16b on which the loading device drive mechanism, such as the loading drive motor 34 described below, is mounted.

A mounting section 300 is formed on the upper surface of the base plate 15, into which the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to be loaded into the recording/playback device is mounted. This mounting section 300 is provided with positioning pins 17 and 18 that engage with positioning holes 209 and 210, respectively, provided in the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to determine the mounting position of the disk cartridge 220 or 221. These positioning pins 17 and 18 are formed by outsert molding a synthetic resin material into the base plate 15.

As shown in Figure 6, a disk rotation mechanism is provided on the base plate 15 of which the loading section 300 is configured, which rotates the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 housed in the disk cartridge 220 or 221 loaded in the loading section 300. This disk rotation mechanism is composed of a disk table 19 on which the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 is positioned and loaded, and a spindle motor 20 which rotates the disk table 19 together with the loaded magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231.

The spindle motor 20 is attached to the underside of the base plate 15 with its drive shaft protruding toward the mounting portion 300 formed on the base plate 15. The disk table 19 is attached integrally to the drive shaft of the spindle motor 20.

The drive shaft of the spindle motor 20 protrudes toward the mounting portion 300 through a through hole provided in the base plate 15.

The disk table 19 is formed in a generally disk shape and has a centering member at its center that engages with a center hole 204 of the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231. When the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 is being loaded onto the disk table 19, this centering member engages with the center hole 204 to center the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 relative to the disk table 19.

Furthermore, an optical pickup device 21 is disposed on the base plate 15. This optical pickup device 21 is composed of an optical block incorporating a semiconductor laser as a light source, optical components such as a beam splitter, and a photodetector, and an objective lens drive device that controls the position of the objective lens so that the light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser is focused on the signal recording surface of the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 mounted on the disk table 19 and rotated, and accurately scans the recording track.

The optical pickup device 21 is disposed so as to be positioned within an opening formed in the base plate 15. The optical pickup device 21 is supported on both sides by a guide shaft 22 and a guide piece 23 attached to the underside of the base plate 15, and is guided by the guide shaft 22 and the guide piece 23 to move in the radial direction of the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 mounted on the disk table 19. The optical pickup device 21 is fed via a drive force transmission gear 25, which is rotated by a pickup feed motor 24 disposed on the underside of the base plate 15.

A magnetic head device 26 that applies an external magnetic field to the magneto-optical disk 201 is connected to the optical pickup device 21 so as to move in synchronization with the optical pickup device 21. The magnetic head device 26 is configured by a head arm 28 having a pair of conductive leaf springs embedded in a synthetic resin molded body, with a magnetic head element 29 attached to the tip of the leaf spring. The magnetic head device 26 is connected to the optical pickup device 21 by fixing a synthetic resin mounting portion 28a, which is provided via the leaf spring protruding from the base end of the head arm 28, to a mounting base 27 provided on the base end opposite the tip end of the optical pickup device 21 where the objective lens is located. At this time, the magnetic head element 29 attached to the tip of the head arm 28 is positioned opposite the objective lens of the optical pickup device 21.

The head arm 28 of the magnetic head device 26 is pivotally displaced in a direction that moves the magnetic head element 29 toward or away from the disk 201 or 231 placed on the disk table 19, using a pair of leaf springs, each of which serves as an elastic displacement portion 30, located between the base end of the head arm 28 and the mounting portion 28a and facing outward. A pivoting arm 31 extends from the base end of the head arm 28. When the pivoting arm 31 is pressed by a pressing means, the head arm 28 pivots about the elastic displacement portion 30, moving the magnetic head element 29 attached to the tip of the head arm 28 away from the base plate 15.

When the pivot arm 31 is not pressed, the head arm 28 is displaced in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6 , that is, in a direction that brings the magnetic head element 29 closer to the disk 201 or 231 placed on the disk table 19. That is, the elastic displacement portion 30 formed on the base end of the head arm 28 is provided with an elastic force that displaces the magnetic head element 29 in a direction that brings it closer to the disk 201 or 231.

The head arm 28 of the magnetic head device 26 is rotated by a head rotation operation plate 32 disposed on the mounting plate portion 16b of the support frame 16. This head rotation operation plate 32 has a support shaft 33 protruding from its base end supported by a pair of support columns erected on the mounting plate portion 16b, and is mounted so as to be rotatable about this support shaft 33. The tip of this rotation operation plate 32 extends above the rotation operation arm 31 of the head arm 28. The tip of the rotation operation plate 32 is biased to rotate in a direction away from the rotation operation arm 31 via a torsion coil spring. When the rotation plate 32 is rotated against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, it presses the rotation arm 31 and rotates the head arm 28 in a direction in which the magnetic head element 29 moves away from the disk 201 or 231 placed on the disk table 19.

As described above, the support frame 16 supports the base plate 15 on which the optical pickup device 21 and magnetic head device 26 constituting the recording and/or reproducing means for recording and/or reproducing information signals on the magneto-optical disk 201 or the optical disk 231 are mounted. Support legs 51a with mounting holes 51 are provided at each corner of the support frame 16, as shown in FIG. 6. These support legs 51a are attached to the support base 1 via dampers 10, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 29, and 30. The support base 1 is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate into a rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, dampers 10 are provided at each corner of the support base 1 to support the support frame 16 so that it can be elastically deformed. As shown in Figure 7, this damper 10 is composed of a support shaft 11 formed by screws driven through threaded holes 9 drilled in each corner of the support base 1, a sleeve 12 fitted onto the support shaft 11, a rubber bushing 13 fitted onto the outside of the sleeve 12, and a coil spring 14 fitted onto the outside of the bushing 13. The support frame 16 is supported by fitting the upper end of the bushing 13 into a mounting hole 51. In this way, the support frame 16, supported on the support base 1 via the damper 10, can be elastically displaced in the axial direction of the support shaft 11.

Furthermore, on both opposing sides of the support base 1, a plurality of locking pieces 7 are formed to extend upward and securely support the support frame 16, which is elastically supported on the support base 1. As shown in FIG. 7, one side of each of these locking pieces 7 is formed with an engagement groove 8 that engages with an engagement piece 155 provided on the lifting operation plate 5, which will be described later.

Furthermore, mounting portions 6 are provided at each corner of the support base 1 so as to hang down. The support base 1 is fixed to the mounting portions 6 and is disposed within an outer casing that constitutes the main body of the recording/playback device.

As described above, the outer casing houses the support base 1, which is configured with a recording/playback unit that records and/or plays back information signals on the magneto-optical disk 201 or the optical disk 231. Although not specifically shown, the outer casing is provided with an insertion/removal opening for inserting and removing the disk cartridge 220 or 221 loaded into the loading section 300, similar to a recording/playback device employing a well-known slot-in system. This insertion/removal opening is formed as an opening having a size corresponding to the shape of the side surface of the insertion end of the disk cartridge 220 or 221. As will be described later, this insertion/removal opening is closed by a pivotable cover 157. The pivotable cover 157 is formed in a flat plate shape and is pivotally supported on the outer casing via a pair of left and right support shafts 158 protruding from the upper edges of both opposing sides.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, a top plate 3 formed of a generally flat metal plate is attached to the upper surface of the support frame 16 supported on the support base 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the top plate 3 has mounting holes 79 and positioning holes 80 drilled in each corner. The top plate 3 is attached to the support frame 16 by inserting fixing screws (not shown) through the mounting holes 79 and threading them into screw holes 52 drilled in each corner of the upper surface of the support frame 16. Positioning protrusions 53 protruding from the support frame 16 near the screw holes 52 are fitted into the positioning holes 80. The top plate 3 is positioned relative to the support frame 16 by fitting the positioning protrusions 53 into the positioning holes 80.

A guide member 84 is provided on the upper surface of the top plate 3 to control the rotation of the eject lever 98 attached to the cartridge holder 4. As shown in FIG. 8 , this guide member 84 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape. A fitting hole 85 drilled in a corner on the base end fits over a cylindrical crimped shaft 83 protruding from the upper surface of the top plate 3. By crimping the crimped shaft 83, the guide member 84 is rotatably attached around the crimped shaft 83. The guide member 84 is biased to rotate in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8 around the crimped shaft 83 by a tension spring 87 stretched between a spring locking hole 86 drilled in the guide member 84 and a spring locking piece 89 formed on the upper surface of the top plate 3. The rotational biasing position of the guide member 84 by this tension spring 87 is restricted by a portion of the guide member 84 abutting against a locking piece 90 formed by cutting and raising a portion of the top plate 3. Furthermore, a protrusion 88 protrudes from the underside of the guide member 84 facing the top plate 3. This protrusion 88 protrudes from the underside of the top plate 3 through a notch 82 formed by cutting out a portion of the top plate 3.

Furthermore, a contact piece 81 is formed rising from the approximate center of the rear edge of the top plate 3, against which an operating pin 125 of an ejection detection lever 123 attached to the cartridge holder 4 (described later) comes into contact.

(2-2) Cartridge Holder The disc recording/playback device to which the present invention is applied includes a cartridge holder 4 that is positioned on a mounting section 300 configured on a base plate 15, holds a disc cartridge 220 or 221 inserted into the outer casing through the insertion/removal opening, and is operable between a first position, which allows the inserted and held disc cartridge 220 or 221 to be removed through the insertion/removal opening, and a second position, which positions the disc cartridge 220 or 221 above the mounting section 300, allowing the disc cartridge 220 or 221 to be inserted or removed from the mounting section 300.

As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the cartridge holder 4 is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate into a flat shape large enough to hold the disc cartridge 220 or 221. The cartridge holder 4 has cartridge holding portions 96, 96 with a U-shaped cross section on opposite sides. When the cartridge holder 4 is placed on the loading section 300, the front side facing the insertion/removal opening in the outer casing is open, and the disc cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted or removed through this open portion.

The cartridge holder 4 is provided with positioning pieces 139, 107 that determine the insertion position of the disk cartridge 220 or 221 relative to the cartridge holder 4 when the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted between the cartridge holding portions 96, 96 from the front side facing the insertion/removal slot. One positioning piece 139 is provided on the side of one cartridge holding portion 96, and the other positioning piece 107 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the flat portion 4a of the cartridge holder 4 that is located on the side of the other cartridge holding portion 96 toward the inside of the cartridge holder 4.

Furthermore, the cartridge holder 4 is provided with a shutter-opening operation piece 156 that, when a disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted between the cartridge holding portions 96, 96, abuts against the insertion-side end of the shutter member 206 or 217, moving the shutter member 206 or 217 relative to the disk cartridge 220 or 221 inserted into the cartridge holder 4 and opening the openings 222 and 223. As shown in FIG. 9 , the shutter-opening operation piece 156 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the side surface of one of the cartridge holding portions 96. A shutter closing lever 132 is attached to one of the cartridge holding portions 96. When removing the disk cartridge 220 or 221 held in the cartridge holder 4, the shutter member 206 or 217 is moved to a position that opens the openings 222 and 223, respectively. The shutter closing lever 132 engages the shutter member 206 or 217 and moves it relative to the disk cartridge 220 or 221 being removed. The shutter closing lever 132 is disposed along the side of one of the cartridge holding portions 96, extending in the direction of insertion or removal of the disk cartridge 220 or 221.

That is, the shutter closing operation lever 132 is rotatably mounted around a support shaft 136, which is supported by a support shaft support portion 140 formed on the side of one of the cartridge holding portions 96, by inserting the support shaft 136 into through holes 133, 133 drilled on the base end. The shutter closing operation lever 132 is biased to rotate in a direction that causes its tip end to protrude inward into the cartridge holder 4 by a torsion coil spring 137, whose coil portion is fitted around the support shaft 136. An engagement protrusion 134 is formed on the tip end of the shutter closing operation lever 132 so as to protrude inward into the cartridge holder 4. The engagement protrusion 134 engages with an engagement hole 208 formed in the shutter member 206 or 217. The engaging projection 134 projects inwardly of the cartridge holder 4 through a notch 141 formed in the front edge of the side surface of one of the cartridge holding portions 96.

When the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted between the cartridge holders 96, 96 and the shutter-opening operation piece 156 abuts against the front edge of the shutter member 206 or 217 in the insertion direction, the engaging protrusion 134 engages with the engaging hole 208 provided in the shutter member 206 or 217. When the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is removed forward from the cartridge holder 4, the shutter-closing operation lever 132 moves the shutter member 206 or 217 relative to the disk cartridge 220 or 221 and then pivots outward against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 137, disengaging the engaging protrusion 134 from the engaging hole 208.

A pair of support pins 95 protrude from the outer side surfaces of a pair of cartridge holding portions 96, 96 on opposite sides of the cartridge holder 4. The support pins 95 movably support the cartridge holder 4 relative to the support frame 16 and guide the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of movement.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the cartridge holder 4 configured as described above is positioned between the base plate 15 and the top plate 3, facing the mounting portion 300 configured on the base plate 15. The cartridge holder 4 is supported so as to be movable parallel to the plane of the base plate 15 between a first position, at which the inserted and held disk cartridge 220 or 221 can be removed through the insertion/removal opening, and a second position, at which the disk cartridge 220 or 221 can be inserted into or removed from the mounting portion 300 with the disk cartridge 220 or 221 positioned above the mounting portion 300.

That is, the cartridge holder 4 is movable between a first position and a second position by placing pairs of support pins 95, 95 and 95, 95 protruding from opposite sides on movable guide portions 49, 49 and 49, 49 formed on the upper end surfaces of side walls 171, 172 formed upright on opposite sides of the support frame 16, as shown in FIG. 6 , and by the support pins 95, 95 and 95, 95 sliding on these movable guide portions 49, 49 and 49, 49. The top plate 3 faces these movable guide portions 49 with a gap equal to the shaft diameter of the support pins 95, preventing the support pins 95 placed on the movable guide portions 49 from falling off, and further preventing the cartridge holder 4 from falling off the support frame 16.

The movement guide portion 49 is formed to have a length that allows movement of the cartridge holder 4 between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, the movement guide portion 49 supports each support pin 95, thereby guiding movement of the cartridge holder 4 in a direction parallel to the base plate 15.

When the cartridge holder 4 is in a second position facing the mounting portion 300 on the base plate 15, it is supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to and away from the mounting portion 300.

That is, at the rear end of the guide portion 49, i.e., at the end when the cartridge holder 4 is moved toward the second position, a vertical guide groove 50 is formed that is perpendicular to the mounting portion 300 formed on the upper surface of the base plate 15.

The vertical guide grooves 50 allow the support pins 95 to move downward when they reach the inner end, i.e., the rear end, of each movable guide portion 49 and are moved further rearward away from the movable guide portions 49, and also regulate the position of the support pins 95 in a direction parallel to the base plate 15.

An opening 92 is formed in the flat surface 4a of the cartridge holder 4 to allow the head arm 28 of the magnetic head device 26 disposed on the base plate 15 to rotate.

A cartridge insertion detection lever 119 is rotatably attached to the inner surface of the flat surface 4a of the cartridge holder 4. A support shaft 104 extending downward from the underside of the cartridge holder 4 is inserted into a support hole 120 drilled in the base end of the cartridge insertion detection lever 119, and the cartridge insertion detection lever 119 is rotatably supported around the support shaft 104. The detection lever 119 is biased to rotate around the support shaft 104 in the direction of arrow F in Figures 9 and 10 by a torsion coil spring (not shown), with the abutment portion 122 located at the tip end positioned toward the other cartridge holding portion 96. The rotational bias position of the detection lever 119 is restricted by the abutment portion 122 coming into contact with a positioning piece 107 formed by cutting out a portion of the flat surface 4a of the cartridge holder 4. A detection protrusion 121 protrudes from one side of the detection lever 119 facing the insertion direction of the disk cartridge 220 or 221. The detection protrusion 121 abuts against the disk cartridge 220 or 221 inserted into the cartridge holder 4 and detects the insertion of the disk cartridge 220 or 221. That is, when the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted into the cartridge holder 4, the detection protrusion 121 is pressed by the disk cartridge 220 or 221, causing the cartridge insertion detection lever 119 to rotate about the support shaft 104 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, thereby detecting the insertion of the disk cartridge 220 or 221 into the cartridge holder 4.

Furthermore, a malfunction prevention lever 114 is rotatably attached to the inner surface of the flat portion 4a of the cartridge holder 4, extending parallel to the cartridge holding portion 96 and preventing malfunction of the cartridge holder 4. This malfunction prevention lever 114 is supported rotatably about a support shaft 103 that hangs down from the underside of the cartridge holder 4 and passes through a support hole 115 drilled in the base end of the malfunction prevention lever 114. An engagement pawl 117 formed at the tip of the malfunction prevention lever 114 faces the insertion direction of the disk cartridge 220 or 221, and the tip with the engagement pawl 117 is urged to rotate inward of the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of arrow E in Figure 9 by a torsion coil spring (not shown). The rotational biasing position of this malfunction prevention lever 114 by the torsion coil spring is restricted by abutting a locking protrusion 118 protruding from one side surface against a contact portion 122 provided at the tip of the cartridge insertion detection lever 119. Additionally, a malfunction restriction protrusion 116 is provided on the other side surface of the malfunction prevention lever 114, opposite the side where the locking pawl 117 protrudes from the tip. When the cartridge holder 4 attempts to move from a first position, located near the insertion/removal opening that allows insertion and removal of the disk cartridge 220 or 221, toward a second position within the device body without the disk cartridge 220 or 221 inserted, the malfunction prevention lever 114 abuts against a malfunction prevention piece 165 that protrudes from the inner surface of one of the side walls 171, 172 that rise from opposite sides of the support frame 16, thereby restricting movement of the cartridge holder 4 toward the second position. In other words, the malfunction prevention lever 114 restricts the loading operation when the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is not inserted into the cartridge holder 4.

When a disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted into the cartridge holder 4 and the cartridge insertion detection lever 119 is rotated in the direction opposite to arrow F in FIG. 9 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, the malfunction prevention lever 114 is released from contact with the contact portion 122 of the malfunction prevention protrusion 116, and is rotated inward of the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 9 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring. At this time, the engagement claw 117 on the tip of the malfunction prevention lever 114 engages with the engagement recess 212 on the disk cartridge 220 or 221 inserted into the cartridge holder 4, and the malfunction prevention protrusion 116 is moved to a position where it does not abut against the malfunction prevention piece 165.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a plurality of support levers 65 for supporting the cartridge holder are attached to the outer surfaces of the side walls 171, 172 formed on opposite sides of the support frame 16. The support levers 65 movably support the cartridge holder 4 in a direction toward or away from the mounting portion 300 formed on the base plate 15. Each support lever 65 has a cylindrical shaft insertion portion 70 at its base end that is inserted into a support shaft 71 that is fixed to the side walls 171, 172 of the support frame 16, and is attached to be rotatable about the support shaft 71. The support levers 65 are attached to the side walls 171, 172 of the support frame 16 with their distal ends facing the movement guide portion 49. An engagement recess 67 is formed at the distal end of each support lever 65, into which a support pin 95 protruding from each side of the cartridge holder 4 engages. These engagement recesses 67 are formed as recesses that open to the front end surface of the support lever 65.

Each support lever 65 is biased by a torsion coil spring 66 to rotate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6 , downward toward the base plate 15. The torsion coil spring 66 has its coil wound around the shaft insertion portion 70, one arm engaged with a locking piece 72 protruding from the side walls 171, 172 of the support frame 16, and the other arm engaged with a locking projection 59 protruding from the support lever 65, thereby biasing the support lever 65 to rotate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6 .

(2-3) Cartridge Holder Elevation Mechanism As shown in Figures 5, 10, 11, 30, and 31, a top plate 3 is disposed on the upper surface of the support frame 16, which includes a recording and/or playback unit that records and/or plays back information signals on the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231. The top plate 3 includes an elevation mechanism that raises and lowers the cartridge holder 4, which has been moved to a position facing the mounting portion 300 above the mounting portion 300, relative to the mounting portion 300. The elevation plate 5 is moved parallel to the direction in which the cartridge holder 4 moves between the first and second positions, and is formed by bending a metal plate into a U-shaped cross section.

A pair of support pieces 153 bent inward are formed on the lower edges of the opposing side walls 5a, 5b of the lifting operation plate 5. The lifting operation plate 5 is movably supported relative to the support frame 16 by engaging the support pieces 153 with the underside of the support frame 16.

A pair of openings 151 are formed in each of the opposing side walls 5a, 5b of the lifting operation plate 5, parallel to the direction of movement. An operating pin 68 attached to the support lever 65 supporting the cartridge holder 4 is inserted into each of these openings 151. As shown in FIG. 11 , each opening 151 is formed with an inclined cam portion 152 on which the operating pin 68 attached to the support lever 65 rests. These inclined cam portions 152 are gradually inclined downward from the insertion side of the disk cartridge 220 or 221 toward the inside. By providing these inclined cam portions 152, when the lifting operation plate 5 is moved relative to the support frame 16, the operating pin 68 moves along the inclined cam portion 152, causing the support lever 65 to rotate, as shown in FIG. 23 . By rotating the support lever 65, the cartridge holder 4, which has been moved to a position facing the mounting portion 300, is moved in a direction toward or away from the mounting portion 300.

When the lifting operation plate 5 is moved inward of the outer casing with the cartridge holder 4 moved away from the mounting portion 300, the engagement pieces 155 formed by bending outward on the lower edges of the opposing side walls 5a, 5b, as shown in FIG. 11, engage with the engagement grooves 8 of the lock pieces 7 of the support base 1, thereby securing the support frame 16 to the support base 1.

Furthermore, when the lifting operation plate 5 moves outward toward the insertion/removal opening of the outer casing, the operation pin 68 moves downward toward the inclined cam portion 152, and the support lever 65 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 6 and 21 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 66. This rotation of the support lever 65 causes the cartridge holder 4, which was held in a position spaced apart from the mounting portion 300, to descend vertically toward the mounting portion 300, and the disc cartridge 220 or 221 held by the cartridge holder 4 is inserted into the mounting portion 300. At this time, the cartridge holder 4 is pressed toward the mounting portion 300 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 66, which biases the support lever 65 to rotate, and the held disc cartridge 220 or 221 is supported by pressure contact with the mounting portion 300.

When the lifting operation plate 5 is in a position where the cartridge holder 4 is lowered toward the mounting portion 5, as shown in FIG. 23, the engagement piece 155 is released from the lock piece 7 of the support base 1, and the support frame 16 is placed in a floating state in which it can move relative to the support base 1 due to the elastic displacement of the damper 10.

Furthermore, when the lifting operation plate 5 moves further forward toward the outside of the outer casing from the position where it lowered the cartridge holder 4 toward the mounting portion 300, the head arm 28 of the magnetic head device 26 utilizes the elastic displacement force of the elastic displacement portion 30 to slide against the magneto-optical disk 201 mounted on the disk table 19, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 .

That is, the lifting operation plate 5 has a protrusion 145 that presses against the head rotation operation plate 32. This protrusion 145 protrudes inward from the underside of the lifting operation plate 5 and presses and supports the head rotation operation plate 32 downward when the lifting operation plate 5 is in a position where it has moved the cartridge holder 4 away from the mounting portion 300 and lowered it toward the mounting portion 300. When the lifting operation plate 5 moves further forward from the position where it has lowered the cartridge holder 4 toward the mounting portion 300, this protrusion 145 moves away from the head rotation operation plate 32 and releases the pressing operation of the head rotation operation plate 32. When the pressure support of the head rotation operation plate 32 by the protrusion 145 is released, the head arm 28 is rotated by the elastic displacement force of the elastic displacement portion 30, causing the magnetic head element 29 attached to its tip to slide into contact with the magneto-optical disk 201 on the disk table 19.

(2-4) Drive Mechanism Next, we will explain the drive mechanism that moves the cartridge holder 4 and the lifting operation plate 5 and loads the disc cartridge 220 or 221 inserted and held in the cartridge holder 4.

As shown in Figure 6, this drive mechanism includes a rotor 45 disposed on the mounting plate 16b of the support frame 16 and a drive motor 34 that rotates the rotor 45. The rotor 45 is rotatably supported via a support shaft 46 that is fixed to the mounting plate 16b and can rotate through a range of approximately 360 degrees. A drive pulley 35 is attached to the drive shaft of the drive motor 34 that rotates the rotor 45. An endless belt 36 is wound around the drive pulley 35 and a driven pulley 37 that is rotatably attached to the support frame 16 via a support shaft 39.

A first transmission gear 38 is integrally formed with the driven pulley 37. This first transmission gear 38 meshes with a second transmission gear 40 rotatably mounted on the support frame 16 via a support shaft 41. A third transmission gear is integrally formed with the second transmission gear 40. This third transmission gear meshes with a fourth transmission gear 42 rotatably mounted on the support frame 16 via a support shaft 44. A fifth transmission gear 43 is integrally formed with the fourth transmission gear 42. This fifth transmission gear 43 meshes with a gear portion 47 formed on the outer periphery of the rotor 45.

A moving operation pin 48 is installed in a position eccentric from the axis of the main surface of the rotor 45 and is inserted into and engaged with a cam groove 112 formed in the flat surface 4a of the cartridge holder 4. As shown in FIG. 9, the cam groove 112 formed in the cartridge holder 4 is composed of a linear cam portion 112a extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cartridge holder 4 and a semicircular arc-shaped cam portion 112b continuing from the cam portion 112a. When the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the first position located on the insertion/removal opening side of the outer casing, the moving operation pin 48 is positioned to engage with the linear cam portion 112a of the cam groove 112.

When the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted into the cartridge holder 4, the drive motor 34 starts to rotate, and the loading operation begins. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the moving operation pin 48 moves along the linear cam portion 112a of the cam groove 112, moving the cartridge holder 4 toward the second position facing the mounting portion 300 inside the outer casing.

When the rotating body 45 is rotated 180 degrees from the initial state in the direction of the arrow _K1 in Fig. 18 and the movement operation pin 48 is moved to a side positioned inward of the outer casing, the cartridge holder 4 is moved to a second position facing above the mounting portion 300, as shown in Fig. 18. Thereafter, when the rotating body 45 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow _K1 in Fig. 18, the movement operation pin 48 reaches the arc-shaped cam portion 112b of the cam groove 112 and rotates another 180 degrees along this cam portion 112b, as shown in Figs. 18, 20, 22, and 24. At this time, since the cam portion 112b is formed in an arc-shape that matches the movement locus of the movement operation pin 48, the cartridge holder 4 remains in the second position without being moved.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the second position, i.e., when it is positioned inward of the outer casing, the movement operation pin 48 engages with an engagement portion 146 provided on the lifting operation plate 5. At this time, the lifting operation plate 5 has rotated the support lever 65 upward, and is fixedly supported by the support frame 16, as described below. The engagement portion 146 with which the movement operation pin 48 engages is formed by the gap between a pair of front and rear engagement pieces 147, 148 located rearward of the lifting operation plate 5 and hanging downward, as shown in FIG. 11 .

After the cartridge holder 4 has been moved to the second position facing the mounting portion 300, the rotating body 45 is further rotated in the direction of arrow _K1 in FIG. 18, and when the moving operation pin 48 moves along the arc-shaped cam portion 112b of the cam groove 112, this moving operation pin 48 moves the lifting operation plate 5 forward, which is the insertion/removal opening side of the cartridge holder 4, via the engaging portion 146, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 24.

In the disk cartridge loading device according to the present invention, the cartridge holder 4 and the lifting operation plate 5 are moved by a drive motor 34, which is a common drive source.

Furthermore, in this loading device, the direction of movement of the cartridge holder 4 toward the second position facing the mounting portion 300 is opposite to the direction of movement of the lifting operation plate 5 when the support lever 65 is rotated to move the cartridge holder 4 toward the mounting portion 300.

As shown in Figure 6, a lock lever 56 for locking the lifting operation plate 5 is rotatably disposed on a support shaft 54 that is installed in the rear portion of the support frame 16. This lock lever 56 has an operation pin 57 that faces the rear edge of the cartridge holder 4 and a locking portion 59 for locking the lifting operation plate 5 at the rear position. This lock lever 56 is biased by a torsion coil spring 55 to rotate in a direction that moves the operation pin 57 forward toward the cartridge holder 4.

When the cartridge holder 4 is positioned closer to the insertion/ejection opening than the second position facing the cartridge mounting portion 300, the rear end edge of the cartridge holder 4 is separated from the operation pin 57, and therefore the lock lever 56 is rotated and biased to its initial position by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 55. The locking portion 59 of the lock lever 56 engages the locking pin 154 hanging down from the rear underside of the lifting operation plate 5, preventing the lifting operation plate 5 from moving forward and holding the lifting operation plate 5 in a position fixed to the support frame 16. When the cartridge holder 4 reaches the second position, the rear end edge of the cartridge holder 4 presses the operation pin 57, causing the lock lever 56 to rotate against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 55. At this time, the locking portion 59 of the lock lever 56 releases the locking of the lifting operation plate 5 with the locking pin 154, allowing the lifting operation plate 5 to move forward.

Additionally, first, second, and third position detection switches 62, 63, and 64 are attached to the rear portion of the support frame 16 via a printed circuit board 61. The first and second position detection switches 62, 63 are used to detect the position of the lift operation plate 5 and are arranged in a front-to-rear array with their depressors facing upward. When the lift operation plate 5 is fixedly supported on the support base 1, neither of the first and second position detection switches 62, 63 is pressed, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 . Of the first and second position detection switches 62, 63, the first position detection switch 62, which is located on the rear side, is pressed by a switch pressing protrusion 144 provided on the rear side of the lift operation plate 5 when the lift operation plate 5 is in a position where the cartridge holder 4 is lowered toward the mounting portion 300, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 . This switch pressing protrusion 144 protrudes downward from the underside of the lifting operation plate 5.

Furthermore, both the first and second position detection switches 62, 63 are pressed by the switch pressing protrusion 144 when the lifting operation plate 5 is moved to the recording mode position in which the magnetic head element 29 of the magnetic head device 26 is in sliding contact with the magneto-optical disk 201, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 .

The third position detection switch 64, which detects the position of the cartridge holder 4, is disposed with its pressing element facing rearward. When the cartridge holder 4 is positioned rearward of the first position, which allows insertion and removal of the disk cartridge 220 or 221, the third position detection switch 64 is not pressed by the cartridge holder 4, as shown in Figures 15 to 17. When the cartridge holder 4 is in the first position, as shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, the third position detection switch 64 is pressed by a switch pressing piece 94 provided on the rear side of the cartridge holder 4.

The switch pressing piece 94 is formed by bending a portion of the rear end of the cartridge holder 4 to the side.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9 , an ejection detection lever 123 is rotatably attached to the cartridge holder 4. A support shaft 105 extending downward from the underside of the cartridge holder 4 is inserted into a support hole 124 drilled in the center of the ejection detection lever 123, and the ejection detection lever 123 is rotatably supported around the support shaft 105. The ejection detection lever 123 is biased by a tension spring (not shown) to rotate in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 9 , with its abutment portion 126 facing the rear of the cartridge holder 4, and its operation pin 125 abuts against the front edge of a through hole 110 formed in the cartridge holder 4. When the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the first position, the ejection detection lever 123 is rotated against the biasing force of the tension spring, with the operation pin 125 abutting against the abutment piece 81 of the top plate 3.

As shown in FIG. 9 , a movement operation pin guide lever 128 is rotatably attached to the cartridge holder 4. This movement operation pin guide lever 128 is supported rotatably about a support shaft 106 that extends downward from the underside of the cartridge holder 4 and passes through a support hole 129 at its base end. The movement operation pin guide lever 128 faces the side of the cartridge holder 4 with a contact protrusion 131 on its side edge facing the front side of the cartridge holder 4. The movement operation pin guide lever 128 is biased to rotate by a torsion coil spring (not shown) in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 9 , which moves the tip toward the cam groove 112, which is the rear side of the cartridge holder 4. The moving operation pin guide lever 128 is positioned below a notch 113 formed in a position facing the linear cam portion 112b of the cam groove 112, and is positioned so that one side covers the notch 113. The moving operation pin guide lever 128 also has an abutment protrusion 131 facing the abutment portion 126 of the eject detection lever 123. When the cartridge holder 4 is in the first position, the moving operation pin guide lever 128 can be rotated forward because the eject detection lever 123 is rotated in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 9 by the tension spring. Therefore, when the disc cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted into the cartridge holder 4 and the cartridge holder 4 is moved toward the second position, the movement operation pin guide lever 128 abuts against the movement operation pin 48 and rotates forward relative to the cartridge holder 4, allowing the movement operation pin 48 to enter the notch 113 and allowing the cartridge holder 4 to move rearward.

When the moving operation pin 48 enters the notch 113 and moves the cartridge holder 4 rearward, the pressure on the third position detection switch 64 is released. When the pressure on the third position detection switch 64 is released, the loading operation begins.

When the cartridge holder 4 is positioned closer to the second position inward of the outer casing than the first position, the ejection detection lever 123 is returned to its initial position, and the movement operation pin guide lever 128 is prevented from pivoting forward. Therefore, at this time, the movement operation pin guide lever 128 prevents the movement operation pin 48 from entering the notch 113.

(2-5) Eject Lever Next, we will explain the eject lever 98, which ejects the disc cartridge 220 or 221 held in the cartridge holder 4.

9, the eject lever 98 includes a drive pin 100 and an abutment pin 101 that abuts against the disk cartridge 220 or 221 held in the cartridge holder 4, and is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the cartridge holder 4. That is, the eject lever 98 has a through hole 99 drilled on the base end where the drive pin 100 is provided, and the through hole 99 is supported by a support shaft 102 that protrudes from the flat surface of the cartridge holder 4, and the eject lever 98 is rotatably supported about the support shaft 102.

When the eject lever 98 is rotated in a direction that brings the abutment pin 101 forward, the abutment pin 101 pushes the disk cartridge 220 or 221 held in the cartridge holder 4 forward.

The guide member 84 attached to the top plate 3 rotates the eject lever 98 relative to the cartridge holder 4 via the drive pin 100 in response to movement of the cartridge holder 4 between the first position and the second position.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 18 , when the cartridge holder 4 moves from the first position to the second position, the drive pin 100 provided on the eject lever 98 passes through a first path relative to the guide member 84 and moves without being moved by the guide member 84. That is, when the drive pin 100 passes through the first path relative to the guide member 84, the drive pin 100 presses against one side surface 88a of the protrusion 88, causing the guide member 84 to rotate in the direction opposite to arrow D in FIG. 8 against the biasing force of the tension spring 87. When the cartridge holder 4 reaches the second position, the drive pin 100 moves away from the protrusion 88, causing the drive pin 100 to rotate back to its initial position due to the biasing force of the tension spring 87.

As shown in Figures 18, 26, and 28, when the cartridge holder 4 moves from the second position toward the first position, the drive pin 100 passes through a second path relative to the guide member 84 and is moved and operated by the guide member 84, causing the abutment pin 101 to rotate the eject lever 98 in a direction that presses the disk cartridge 220 or 221. That is, when the drive pin 100 passes through the second path relative to the guide member 84, it moves relative to the cartridge holder 4, following the other side surface 88b of the protrusion 88 of the guide member 84, which has been moved to its initial position. As the drive pin 100 moves along the protrusion 88 of the guide member 84, the eject lever 98 is rotated, and the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is ejected from the cartridge holder 4 via the abutment pin 101.

(2-6) Lid Mechanism Next, we will explain the lid mechanism that opens and closes the insertion/removal opening through which the disk cartridge 220 or 221 provided in the outer casing is inserted into and removed from the cartridge holder 4.

The support frame 16, on which the recording/playback unit is constructed, is provided with a cover control lever 73 that rotates a pivotable cover 157, which constitutes a cover mechanism for opening and closing the insertion/removal opening, and controls the rotation of the pivotable cover 157. This control lever 73 is rotated by a support pin 95 protruding from the side surface of the cartridge holder 4 in accordance with the position of the cartridge holder 4.

The cover control lever 73 is located near the insertion/removal opening provided in the outer casing, and as shown in Figures 6, 32, and 35, a support shaft 74 is attached to one side surface of the center via the frame portion 16a of the support frame 16. In other words, the cover control lever 73 is attached to the inner surface of one side wall 171 of the support frame 16 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 74.

When the cover control lever 73 is attached to the support frame 16, an inclined surface 78 is formed on the upper surface of the rear side located inside the outer casing, with the support shaft 74 as the center.

Additionally, an engagement recess 75 is formed on the front side, which is located toward the insertion/removal opening, centered on the support shaft 74. As shown in Figure 6, the cover control lever 73 is biased to rotate in the direction of arrow C in Figure 6 by a compression coil spring 77 disposed between the rear end and a support piece 77a protruding from the inner surface of one side wall 171 of the support frame 16, so that the inclined surface 78 is positioned upward.

The inclined surface 78 is formed by bulging out a portion of the upper surface of the rear side of the lid control lever 73, and when the lid control lever 73 is in its initial position urged to rotate by the compression coil spring 77, it protrudes above the movement guide 49 formed on the upper end surface of the frame 16a. When the support pin 95 passes over this inclined surface 78, the lid control lever 73 is rotated in the direction of arrow W in Figure 35 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 77 around the support shaft 74 so that the inclined surface 78 becomes flush with the upper surface of the movement guide 49. The rotation range of the lid control lever 73 at this time is the range indicated by the arrow _θ1 in Figure 35.

The engagement recess 75 formed on the front side of the lid control lever 73 is open toward the rear and has a width corresponding to the outer diameter of the support pin 95. In the initial position, the lower surface 75a is positioned below the upper surface of the movement guide portion 49. When the support pin 95 enters this engagement recess 75, the lid control lever 73 is rotated in the direction of arrow W in Figure 35 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77 so that the lower surface 75a of the engagement recess 75 becomes flush with the upper end surface of the movement guide portion 49. The rotation range of the lid control lever 73 at this time is the range indicated by arrow _θ2 in Figure 35.

The rotation range θ ₁ when the support pin 95 is rotated while riding on the inclined surface portion 78 is set larger than the rotation range θ ₂ when the support pin 95 is rotated while entering the engagement recess 75 .

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 35, an engagement piece 76 that engages with a connecting member 160 protrudes from the front end of the lid control lever 73 where the engagement recess 75 is formed.

The engagement piece 76 engages with an operating pin 162 provided on the rear side of the connecting member 160. The connecting member 160 is supported at its center by a support shaft 161 within the outer casing and is rotatable about this support shaft 161. The connecting member 160 is rotated about the support shaft 161 in conjunction with the rotation of the lid control lever 73, depending on the rotation angle of the lid control lever 73.

As shown in FIG. 32, the connecting member 160 is provided at its front portion with a lock piece 163 that abuts and engages with an operating protrusion 159 protruding from one side of the lower end of the pivotable cover 157 to restrict the pivotable cover 157 from pivoting in a direction that opens the insertion/removal opening, and an operating piece 164 that presses the operating protrusion 159 to pivot the pivotable cover 157.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the first position close to the insertion/removal opening which allows insertion and removal of the disk cartridge 220 or 221, the support pin 95 engages with the engaging recess 75 and presses against the lower surface 75a of the engaging recess 75. At this time, the cover control lever 73 is rotated by an angle _θ2 from the initial position, and the operating protrusion 159 is located at the midpoint between the locking piece 163 and the operating piece 164, as shown in Figure 33. Therefore, at this time, the rotating cover 157 is in a state in which the operating protrusion 159 passes through the gap between the locking piece 163 and the operating piece 164 and can rotate in the direction of arrow S in Figure 33 to open the insertion/removal opening.

When the rotating cover 157 is in a rotatable state and the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted into the insertion/removal opening, the rotating cover 157 is pressed by the inserted disk cartridge 220 or 221 and rotates about the support shaft 158 in the direction of arrow S in FIG. 33 to open the insertion/removal opening.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the second position facing the cartridge loading section 300, the cover control lever 73 is released from the pressure of the support 95 and is biased by the compression coil spring 77, causing it to rotate to its initial position. At this time, the connecting member 160 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow U in FIG. 34 , causing the locking piece 163 to abut against the operating projection 159, restricting the rotation of the pivotable cover 157 in the direction that opens the insertion/removal opening. By restricting the rotation of the pivotable cover 157 in this way, the insertion of the disk cartridge 220 or 221 into the insertion/removal opening is restricted, preventing double insertion of the disk cartridge 220 or 221.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moving between a first position close to the insertion/ejection slot and a second position facing the cartridge holder 300, the support pin 95 rides on the inclined surface 78, and the cover control lever 73 is rotated in the direction of arrow W in FIG. 35, within the range indicated by arrow _θ1 in FIG. 35, against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77. The connecting member 160 is then rotated in the direction of arrow T in FIG. 33, pushing up the operating projection 159 with the operating piece 164. At this time, the rotating cover 157 is pressed by the operating piece 158 and rotated in the direction of arrow S in FIG. 33, to a position that opens the insertion/ejection slot. This prevents the rotating cover 157 from coming into contact with the disk cartridge 220 or 221 passing through the insertion/ejection slot.

[3] Disc Cartridge Loading Operation The following describes the operation of loading disc cartridge 220 or 221 into the loading section 300 of the disc recording/playback device of this embodiment, which has the configuration described above, and ejecting disc cartridge 220 or 221 loaded into loading section 300.

(3-1) Inserting a Disk Cartridge into the Cartridge Holder When inserting a recordable disk cartridge 220 or a read-only disk cartridge 221 into the cartridge holder 4, the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the first position adjacent to the insertion/removal opening on the outer casing, as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

When the cartridge holder 4 is in the first position, the lifting operation plate 5 is moved to a position where the engagement piece 155 engages with the engagement groove 8 provided in the support base 1, as shown in FIG. 13, and is fixed to the support base 1. The lifting operation plate 5 is fixed to the support base 1 to form a recording/playback unit, and the recording/playback unit mounting base 2 to which the cartridge holder 4 is attached is fixed to the support base 1 without being subjected to the elastic force of the damper 10. By fixing the recording/playback unit mounting base 2 to the support base 1, the cartridge holder 4 is positioned so that its front opening, through which the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted or removed, accurately faces the insertion/removal opening of the outer casing.

When the cartridge holder 4 is in the first position, the support pin 95 on the cartridge holder 4 engages with the engagement recess 75 on the cover control lever 73, causing the cover control lever 73 to rotate against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77. As the cover control lever 73 is rotated by the support pin 95, the operating protrusion 159 on the rotating cover 157 is positioned in contact with both the lock piece 163 and the operating piece 164 on the connecting member 160 that is rotated by the cover control lever 73, as shown in FIG. 33 , thereby allowing the rotating cover 157 to rotate in the direction that opens the insertion/removal opening.

With the cartridge holder 4 moved to the first position as described above, when the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted through the insertion/removal opening, the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is inserted into the cartridge holder 4 while the pivot lid 157 pivots inwardly about the pivot 158 into the outer casing.

When the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is properly inserted into the cartridge holder 4, the shutter member 206 or 217 is moved relatively by the shutter release operation piece 156 provided on the cartridge holder 4, thereby opening the openings 222 and 223 provided in the disk cartridge 220 or 221.

(3-2) Loading Operation The disk cartridge 220 or 221 is then manually inserted in the direction of arrow J in FIG. 14 until the end surface facing the insertion direction abuts against the positioning piece 139, 107. After the inserted disk cartridge 220 or 221 abuts against the positioning piece 139, 107, the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is further pressed inward into the outer casing. This moves the cartridge holder 4 together with the disk cartridge 220 or 221 in the direction of arrow J in FIG. 14, releasing the pressure on the third position detection switch 64 that had been pressed by the pressing piece 84a located on one side of the rear end of the cartridge holder 4.

The cartridge holder 4 integrated with the disk cartridge 220 or 221 moves when the movement operation pin 48, which is provided on the rotor 45 engaged with the cam groove 112, moves relative to the linear cam portion 112a toward the notch portion 113 provided in the cam groove 112. In other words, the cartridge holder 4 integrated with the disk cartridge 220 or 221 moves within a range in which the movement operation pin 48 moves from the linear cam portion 112a toward the notch portion 113.

When the third position detection switch 64 is released, it is detected that the disk cartridge 220 or 221 has been inserted and held in the cartridge holder 4, and this detection signal is input to the control circuit. When the detection signal is input, the control circuit starts driving the drive motor 34 in the forward direction. When the drive motor 34 starts driving in the forward direction, the rotor 45 rotates in the direction of arrow _K1 in FIG. 14, and the moving operation pin 48 embedded in the rotor 45 rotates in the direction of arrow _R1 in FIG. 14 along the linear cam portion 112a of the cam groove 112. As the moving operation pin 48 rotates in the direction of arrow _R1 in FIG. 14 along the linear cam portion 112a, the cartridge holder 4, holding the disk cartridge 220 or 221, is moved in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 14, parallel to the base plate 15, toward the mounting portion 300.

When the rotating body 45 is rotated from the initial position to a position rotated approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow K1 in Figures 14, 15, and 16, the movement operation pin ₄₈ , which operates to move the cartridge holder 4, rotates in the direction of arrow _R1 in Figures 14, 15, and 16, and moves the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of arrow Y in Figures 14, 15, and 16, toward the mounting portion 300.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moved from the first position toward the second position facing the cartridge mounting portion 300, the drive pin 100 provided on the eject lever 98 passes through a first path relative to the guide member 84 and moves without being operated by the guide member 84. That is, when the drive pin 100 of the eject lever 98 passes through the first path relative to the guide member 84, the drive pin 100 presses one side of the protrusion 88, causing the guide member 84 to rotate against the biasing force of the tension spring 87. Then, when the cartridge holder 4 reaches the second position facing the cartridge mounting portion 300, the drive pin 100 of the eject lever 98 moves away from the protrusion 88, and the guide member 84 receives the biasing force of the tension spring 87 and returns to its initial position.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moving between the first and second positions, the cover control lever 73 is rotated by the support pin 95 in the direction of arrow W in FIG. 35 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77, rotating the connecting member 160, and the operating piece 158 on the connecting member 160 rotates the rotating cover 157 in the direction that opens the insertion/removal opening.

(3-3) Mounting Operation of Disk Cartridge into Mounting Portion When the rotating body 45 is rotated approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow _K1 in Figures 14, 15, and 16 from the initial position and then further rotated in the same direction, the moving operation pin 48 rotates along the linear cam portion 112a in the opposite direction, toward arrow _R2 in Figures 17 and 18, moving the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of arrow Y in Figure 17 toward the mounting portion 300, until it moves to a position facing above the mounting portion 300 as shown in Figure 19. When the cartridge holder 4 has moved to a position facing above the mounting portion 300, the moving operation pin 48 reaches a position facing the arc-shaped cam portion 112b that is continuous with the linear cam portion 112a of the cam groove 112 as shown in Figure 18. At this time, the rotating body 45 is in a position rotated approximately 180 degrees from the initial position. 18 in which the moving operation pin 48 faces the arc-shaped cam portion 112b, even if the rotating body 45 further rotates in the direction of arrow _K1 in Fig. 18, the moving operation pin 48 moves along the arc-shaped cam portion 112b that coincides with the movement locus of the moving operation pin 48, so the cartridge holder 4 is held in the second position facing the mounting portion 300. Here, because the arc-shaped cam portion 112b is formed in a semicircular shape, the cartridge holder 4 continues to be held in the second position while the rotating body 45 rotates further over a range of 180 degrees.

Furthermore, when the cartridge holder 4 is moved in the direction of arrow Y in FIG. 17 toward the cartridge mounting portion 300, the support pin 95 engages with the engagement recess 67 provided in the support lever 65. Then, the rotating body 45 moves in the direction of arrow K in FIG.₁The cartridge holder 4 further rotates in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 18 until it moves upward to a position facing the mounting portion 300 as shown in FIG. 19.₁When the rotor 45 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow K in FIG. 18, the support pin 95 reaches a position facing the vertical guide groove 50 formed at the end of the moving guide portion 49 provided on the support frame 16. From here, the rotor 45 further rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow K in FIG.₁ When rotated in the direction, the moving operation pin 48 enters the arc-shaped cam portion 112b of the cam groove 112 and, as shown in Figures 18 and 20, enters between the engagement portions 146 formed between a pair of engagement pieces 147, 148 provided on the lifting operation plate 5.

Then, when the moving operation pin 48 enters the arc-shaped cam portion 112b and enters between the engaging portions 146, and the rotating body 45 further rotates in the direction of arrow _K1 in Fig. 18, the lifting operation plate 5 is moved in the direction of arrow N in Fig. 20, with the cartridge holder 4 maintained in a position facing the mounting portion 300. That is, the rotating moving operation pin 48 presses one of the engaging pieces 147, causing the lifting operation plate 5 to move in the direction of arrow N in Fig. 20. As the lifting operation plate 5 moves in the direction of arrow N in Fig. 20, the support lever 65 supporting the support pin 95 receives the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 66 and rotates in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 20. As the lifting operation plate 5 moves in the direction of arrow N in Figure 20, the support pin 95 is subjected to the force of the torsion coil spring 66 that urges it to rotate, and is guided by the vertical guide groove 50 formed in the support frame 16, and descends toward the base plate 15 along the inclined cam portion 152 formed on the lifting operation plate 5.

As the lifting operation plate 5 moves in the direction of arrow N in FIG. 20, the support pin 95 is guided by the vertical guide groove 50, and the disk cartridge 220 or 221 held by the cartridge holder 4 engages the positioning holes 209 and 210 with the positioning pins 17 and 18, respectively, and the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is positioned and loaded into the loading section 300.

Furthermore, when the lifting operation plate 5 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 23 where the cartridge holder 4 is lowered to allow the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to be inserted into the mounting portion 300, the engagement piece 155 disengages from the engagement groove 8 formed in the support base 1. The recording/playback unit mounting base 2, which includes the recording/playback unit to which the lifting operation plate 5 is attached, is supported on the support base 1 only by the damper 10. In other words, the recording/playback unit mounting base 2 is supported in a floating state via the damper 10. By supporting the recording/playback unit mounting base 2 in this floating state, shocks applied to the outer casing, etc., are absorbed by the damper 10, preventing vibrations and the like from being transmitted to the recording/playback unit mounting base 2.

When the lifting operation plate 5 is moved to a position where it has lowered the cartridge holder 4 to a position close to the mounting portion 300, the pressure applied by the support pin 95 to the cover control lever 73 is released, and the cover control lever 73 is rotated to its initial position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 77. The connecting member 160 is then rotated by the cover control lever 73, causing the lock piece 163 to abut against the operating protrusion 159, and the rotating cover 157 holds the insertion/removal opening in a closed state.

When the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is loaded into the loading section as described above, the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231 contained in the disk cartridge 220 or 221 is loaded in a state in which it can rotate integrally with the disk table 19. Then, the spindle motor 20 is driven to drive the optical pickup device 21, thereby reproducing the information signal recorded on the magneto-optical disk 201 or optical disk 231.

(3-4) Selection of Recording Mode As shown in Figures 24 and 25, after the recordable disk cartridge 220 is loaded into the loading section 300, the lifting operation plate 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow _K1 in Figure 24 and moved forward in the direction N in Figure 24, whereby the magnetic head element 29 of the magnetic head device 26 is moved to a position where it comes into sliding contact with the magneto-optical disk 201 loaded on the disk table 19.

In this state, the optical pickup device 21 and magnetic head device 29 are ready to record information signals onto the magneto-optical disk 201. Then, by driving the optical pickup device 21, magnetic head device 29, and spindle motor 20, the information signals are recorded.

The position of the lifting operation plate 5 is detected by first and second position detection switches 62, 63, and the control circuit determines the position based on the detection signal. This control circuit also detects, via a detection switch (not shown), whether the disk cartridge loaded in the loading unit 300 is a recordable disk cartridge 220 or a read-only disk cartridge 221. If the disk cartridge loaded in the loading unit 300 is a read-only disk cartridge 221, the control circuit holds the lifting operation plate 5 in a position where the cartridge holder 4 is lowered toward the loading unit 300. In other words, further driving of the drive motor 34, which rotates the rotor 45, is restricted.

(3-5) Disk Cartridge Ejection Operation To eject the disk cartridge 220 or 221 loaded in the loading section 300 from the cartridge holder 4, the drive motor 34 is driven in the reverse direction. When the drive motor 34 is driven in the reverse direction, the rotor 45 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow K in Figure 26.₂ The rotating body 45 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow K in Figure 26.₂When the lifting operation plate 5 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow M in FIGS. 20 to 24, the movement operation pin 48 moves the lifting operation plate 5 inward toward the outer casing. This movement of the lifting operation plate 5 moves the cartridge holder 4 upward, away from the loading portion 300, with the support pin 95 guided by the vertical guide groove 50, thereby removing the disk cartridge 220 or 221 from the loading portion 300.

At this time, the movement operation pin 48 engages with the engagement portion 146 to move the lift operation plate 5, but moves within the arc-shaped cam portion 112b of the cam groove 112, restricting the horizontal movement of the cartridge holder 4.

When the moving operation pin 48 rotates 180 degrees along the arcuate cam portion 112b, it is rotated from the arcuate cam portion 112b to a position facing the linear cam portion 112a, and during this rotation, the lifting operation plate 5 is moved inward of the outer casing in the direction of arrow M in Figures 20 to 24, causing the engaging piece 155 to engage with the engaging groove 8 provided in the support base 1, thereby fixing the recording/playback unit mounting base 2, to which the cartridge holder 4 is attached, to the support base 1. At this time, the moving operation pin 48 is released from the engaging portion 146 and enters the linear cam portion 112a of the cam groove 112. When the rotating body 45 is further rotated in the direction of arrow _K2 in Figure 26 from this state, the moving operation pin 48 moves along the linear cam portion 112a in the direction of arrow _R3 in Figure 26, and moves the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of arrow O in Figures 26 to 28 toward the first position approaching the insertion/removal opening.

At this time, the drive pin 100 of the eject lever 98 passes through the second path relative to the guide member 84 and is moved by the guide member 84, thereby pressing the disk cartridge 220 or 221 held in the cartridge holder 4 toward the insertion/removal opening in the direction of arrow P in FIGS. 26 to 28 via the eject lever 98.

That is, when the drive pin 100 passes through the second path relative to the guide member 84, it is moved relative to the cartridge holder 4 along the other side of the protrusion 88 of the guide member 84 in the initial position.

While the cartridge holder 4 is moving from the second position toward the first position, the cover control lever 73 rotates the pivotable cover 157 via the connecting member 160 to a position that opens the insertion/ejection opening, so that the cover does not come into contact with the disk cartridge 220 or 221 being ejected to the outside of the outer casing through the insertion/ejection opening.

After the transfer operation pin 48 comes out of the arcuate cam portion 112b, the transfer operation pin 48 moves along the linear cam portion _112a in the direction of arrow R3 in Fig. 26 until the rotating body 45 is rotated approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow K2 in Fig. 26. However, while the rotating body ₄₅ is rotated further approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow _K2 in Fig. 26 beyond approximately 90 degrees, the transfer operation pin 48 moves along the linear cam portion 112a in the opposite direction, in the direction of arrow _R4 in Fig. 28, to move the cartridge holder 4 in the direction of arrow O in Fig. 28. In other words, the rotating body 45 is rotated 180 degrees as a whole, so that the cartridge holder 4 is moved from the second position to the first position.

When the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the first position shown in FIG. 28, the eject lever 98 is rotated by the guide member 84 in a direction that causes the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to protrude from the cartridge holder 4. This rotation of the eject lever 98 causes a portion of the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to protrude from the insertion/removal opening, allowing it to be grasped with fingers and pulled out of the cartridge holder 4. The ejection operation is completed by pulling the disk cartridge 220 or 221 out of the insertion/removal opening.

As described above, by moving the cartridge holder 4 to a position that allows the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to be removed, the disk recording/playback device is returned to its initial state, allowing the disk cartridge 220 or 221 to be inserted into the cartridge holder 4 again.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The recording medium loading device of the present invention comprises a cartridge holder for holding a disc cartridge used as a recording medium for information signals, and an elevation mechanism including an elevation plate for raising and lowering the cartridge holder relative to a loading section. This mechanism selectively moves a rotating body and a moving mechanism that rotates the rotating body depending on the position of the cartridge holder. This allows for the transport of the disc cartridge between the inside and outside of the outer casing and the loading of the disc cartridge into the loading section, thereby ensuring reliable operation of the disc cartridge from transporting the disc cartridge to loading it into the loading section.

Furthermore, because the disc cartridge is transported and loaded into the loading section using a common moving mechanism, the mechanism is simplified, allowing for a more compact device, and therefore a more compact recording and/or playback device incorporating this loading device.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── [Summary Continued] A common moving and operating mechanism is used to perform a series of operations, from transporting the disc cartridge to loading it into the loading section. (Note) This publication is based on the publication published internationally by the International Bureau of Patents (WIPO). The effect of the international publication of the Japanese patent application (Japanese utility model registration application) related to this publication arises pursuant to Article 184-10, Paragraph 1 of the Patent Act (Article 48-13, Paragraph 2 of the Utility Model Act) and is unrelated to this publication.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium loading device comprising: a mounting section formed on a base into which a recording medium is mounted; a holding means for holding an inserted recording medium and movable between a first position, which holds the inserted recording medium and allows the inserted recording medium to be removed, and a second position located above the mounting section; a moving means for moving the holding means from the first position to the second position by a rotational operation within a first range; a mounting means driven by a second rotational operation subsequent to the rotational operation within the first range of the moving means, for mounting the holding means, which has been moved to the second position by the moving means, onto the mounting section; and a restricting means provided on the mounting means for restricting movement of the holding means relative to the base when the holding means is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, and for releasing the restriction on movement of the holding means relative to the base in conjunction with the mounting means' operation to mount the holding means onto the mounting section. 2. The recording medium loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means includes a linear cam portion that engages with the moving means to move the holding means from the first position to the second position by pivoting within the first range, and an arcuate cam portion that is continuous with the linear cam portion and moves the mounting means from the first position to the second position by pivoting within the second range. 3. The recording medium loading device of claim 2, wherein the moving means comprises an engaging portion that engages with the linear cam portion and the arcuate cam portion, a rotor provided on the engaging portion, and a drive means for rotationally driving the rotor, wherein a 180-degree rotation of the rotor causes the engaging portion to engage with the linear cam portion to move the holding means from the first position to the second position, and a further 180-degree rotation of the rotor causes the engaging portion to engage with the arcuate cam portion to move the mounting means from the second position toward the first position. 4. The recording medium loading device of claim 1, wherein the mounting means is moved from the second position toward the first position by the second rotational movement of the moving means, releasing the restriction on movement of the holding means by the restricting means, and further comprising a slide member for mounting the holding means to the mounting portion. 5. The recording medium loading device according to claim 4, wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of holding members that movably hold the holding means between a position where the holding means is mounted to the mounting portion and the second position, and the sliding member is provided with a drive unit that drives the plurality of holding members to move the holding means between the position where the holding means is mounted to the mounting portion and the second position. 6. The recording medium loading device of claim 1, wherein the regulating means comprises at least one engaging protrusion provided on either the mounting means or the base, and an engaging portion provided on the other that engages with the engaging protrusion, and when the mounting means mounts the holding means to the mounting portion, the engaging protrusion is disengaged from the engaging portion, and when the mounting means separates the holding means from the mounting portion, the engaging protrusion is engaged with the engaging portion. 7. The recording medium loading device of claim 1, further comprising a rotating member that is rotated when the holding means is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, and an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes a recording medium insertion space formed on the front side of the holding means, wherein the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing mechanism is restricted by the rotating member, and the restriction by the rotating member is released only when the holding means is in the first position, allowing the opening/closing mechanism to move in a direction that opens the insertion space. 8. The recording medium loading device according to claim 1, further comprising: ejection means provided on the holding means for moving the recording medium held by the holding means in a direction such that the recording medium protrudes from the holding means; and movement means for driving the ejection means in a direction such that the recording medium inserted into the holding means protrudes from the holding means. 9. The recording medium loading device according to claim 8, wherein the moving operation means comprises a first guide portion that guides the ejection operation means when the holding means is moved from the first position toward the second position, and a second guide portion that guides the ejection operation means when the holding means is moved from the second position to the first position, and drives the ejection operation means in a direction that causes the recording medium held by the holding means to protrude from the holding means while the ejection operation means is moving the second guide portion. 10. The recording medium loading device according to claim 8, wherein the holding means includes an engaging member that engages with the recording medium held by the holding means, and the engaging member drives the recording medium held by the holding means in a direction in which the ejection operation means protrudes from the holding means. 11. A recording and/or playback device for recording and/or playing back information on a recording medium, the recording medium having a head that slides on one side of the recording medium and is supported so as to be movable between a position in sliding contact with the recording medium and a position spaced apart from the recording medium; holding means for holding an inserted recording medium and movable between a first position that allows the inserted recording medium to be removed and a second position located above the recording and/or playback means; moving means for moving the holding means from the first position to the second position by a first rotational movement; attachment means driven by a second rotational movement subsequent to the rotational movement of the moving means through the first range, for attaching the holding means moved to the second position by the moving means to the recording and/or playback means; and head moving means driven by the attachment means for moving the head between a position in sliding contact with the recording medium and a position spaced apart from the recording medium. 12. The recording and/or reproducing device for a recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the head moving means positions the head at a position spaced apart from the recording medium during the movement of the holding means. 13. The recording medium recording and/or reproducing device according to claim 11, wherein the head is moved by the head moving means as the mounting means moves from the first direction to the second direction or from the second direction to the first direction. 14. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data on a recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the head moving means comprises: a support mechanism provided in the recording and/or reproducing means for supporting the head so that the head can move between a position where the head is in sliding contact with the recording medium and a position spaced apart from the recording medium; and a movement operating unit provided in the mounting means for operating the support mechanism to move the head between the position where the head is in sliding contact with the recording medium and a position spaced apart from the recording medium. 15. The recording and/or playback device for a recording medium according to claim 11, characterized in that the holding means is formed with a linear cam portion that engages with the moving means and moves the holding means from the first position to the second position by pivoting within the first range, and an arcuate cam portion that is formed contiguous with the linear cam portion and moves the mounting means from the first position to the second position by pivoting within the second range. 16. The recording medium recording and/or reproducing device according to claim 15, wherein the moving means comprises an engaging portion that engages with the linear cam portion and the arcuate cam portion, a rotating body provided on the engaging portion, and a driving means that rotates the rotating body, wherein a 180-degree rotation of the rotating body causes the engaging portion to engage with the linear cam portion to move the holding means from the first position to the second position, and a further 180-degree rotation of the rotating body causes the engaging portion to engage with the arcuate cam portion to move the mounting means from the second position toward the first position. 17. The recording and/or playback device for a recording medium according to claim 11, further comprising: a base on which the recording and/or playback means is disposed; and restricting means provided on the mounting means for restricting movement of the holding means relative to the base when the holding means is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, and for releasing the restriction on movement of the holding means relative to the base in conjunction with the mounting means' operation to mount the holding means on the recording and/or playback means.