Abstract: A wobble determining apparatus is provided with: a calculating device for calculating (i) a first time required until reaching a number of revolutions of a motor which allows a predetermined linear velocity, and (ii) a second time required to move an optical head to a position which allows the predetermined linear velocity, on the basis of the number of revolutions of the motor and the position of the optical head; a judging device for judging whether to keep the optical head in accordance with the calculated first time and the calculated second time; and a controlling device for controlling a moving device not to move the optical head if it is judged to keep the optical head, and for controlling the moving device to move the optical head to the position which allows the predetermined linear velocity if it is judged not to keep the optical head.

Abstract: Provided is an actuator, an optical pickup, and a disc apparatus, with improved assembling workability and reduced manufacturing cost. The actuator of the optical pickup of the disc apparatus includes a movable part and a fixed part supporting the movable part in a movable manner. The movable part includes a case and a plurality of drive substrates having the same specification. The drive substrates are disposed at positions opposed to each other with respect to the case. Each drive substrate includes a winding member for driving the movable part and a wiring pattern for supplying current to the winding member. The wiring pattern includes a plurality of electrodes and a conductive path. The electrodes are disposed at positions opposed to each other with respect to the winding member. The conductive path is branched from one end of the winding member and is connected to the electrodes.

Abstract: An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit including a stepping motor fixture bent from an upper plate toward an accommodation space, wherein the stepping motor fixture is integrally formed with the upper plate, and a stepping motor rotatably fixed to the stepping motor fixture.

Abstract: A feed-screw type optical pick-up device transfer mechanism is provided for transferring an optical pick-up device through a base member coupled to a follower member in a state in which teeth of the follower member are engaged with a screw portion threaded around an external circumference of a driveshaft. The teeth of the follower member include two main teeth relating to the transfer of the optical pick-up device, and at least one subsidiary tooth provided between the two main teeth and not related to the transfer of the optical pick-up device.

Abstract: An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit including a spindle motor fixture including an opening-formed upper plate, a lateral surface plate bent from the upper plate to form an accommodation space, and a spindle motor fixture concavely formed from the upper plate toward the accommodation space, wherein the spindle motor fixture is integrally formed with the upper plate; and a spindle motor fixed inside the spindle motor fixture to rotate a disk.

Abstract: A suspension system is provided for an objective lens housing. The objective lens housing is supported by the suspension system and is moved in either a tracking direction Y or focusing direction Z by an electro-magnetic actuator. The objective lens housing is supported by upper and lower suspension springs. The suspension springs are moveable in the tracking direction by flexing the suspension springs and are moveable in a focusing direction by compressing a front portion and a back portion to fold the suspension spring at bends formed in an intermediate portion of the suspension springs.

Abstract: An optical pick-up head module includes a base, an optical pick-up head adjusting mechanism, two guiding rods, a spring and an optical pick-up head slidably disposed on the guiding rods. The optical pick-up head adjusting mechanism includes a protrusion, a pillar and an adjusting element. The protrusion connected to the base has a sliding slot. The pillar having first and second flat surfaces is slidably disposed in the sliding slot. The first flat surface contacts an inner wall of the sliding slot. The adjusting element is screwed on the base. The spring disposed on the base pushes the pillar to contact the adjusting element by the second flat surface. When the adjusting element is rotated, the adjusting element pushes the pillar toward the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc chucking apparatus having claws that horizontally move and provide elasticity to improve performance in centering and chucking a disc. The disc chucking apparatus includes: a centering base to which an inner circumferential surface of a disc is fixed; a plurality of chuck chips arranged at regular intervals along an outer circumferential surface of the centering base; and a plurality of elastic support parts disposed to be opposite to the chuck chips on the centering base, rotating horizontally when the disc is mounted, and pressing the inner circumferential surface of the disc in an outer diameter direction thereof.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is provided, including an object lens holder hanged by a set of wires forming suspended object. A focus coil set is fixed to object lens holder and placed surrounding focus and track shared magnet set. The focus coil located between object lens holder and focus and track shared magnet set is within magnetic field of focus and track shared magnet set. The focus coil located between tilt magnet set and magnetic field of focus and track shared magnet set is within the effective field of tilt magnet set and focus and track shared magnet set due to shielding effect of the yoke protruding plates. When a current runs through focus coil, a magnetic force in the focus direction is induced simultaneously within the range of tilt magnet set and focus and track shared magnet set so that object lens holder can focus.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a pickup feed device to accurately position an optical pickup in place with miniaturization. The pickup device includes a lead screw attached to a movable chassis, a pickup portion, a rack member, a torsion coil spring, a projection portion, and a recess portion. The pickup portion has a case receiving the pickup. The rack member is fixed to the case. The rack portion disposed on a rack one end portion and a case one end portion are engaged with the lead screw. A rack another end portion has the abut portion abutting an inner edge portion of the movable chassis. The torsion coil spring urges the abut portion toward a case another end portion. The projection portion is disposed on the abut portion and the recess portion is disposed on the case another end portion.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an optical read/write device for reading and/or writing an optical disc includes a base, optical pickup head, and a driving mechanism for slidably driving the optical pickup head. The driving mechanism includes a worm gear, a motor for rotating the worm gear, and a rack disposed between the worm gear and the optical pickup head for transferring motion from the worm gear to the optical pickup head. The rack includes a fastening portion for fixing the rack to the optical pickup head, a mesh portion for engaging with the worm gear, a restricting portion connected to the mesh portion for being blocked by the gear seat when the mesh portion is pressed by the worm gear to prevent the mesh portion from disengaging from the worm gear, and a connecting portion for connecting the fastening portion with the restricting portion.

Abstract: Multiple regulating portions protruding more than tooth portions of the rack are provided in positions, between which a feed shaft is interposed, in the vicinity of the tooth portions. Each regulating portion has an inclined surface which is opposed to a periphery of the feed shaft, and which is isolated more from the feed shaft as the inclined surface becomes farther from arm portions. Thereby, it is possible to restrain thin portions of the rack from twistedly deforming when the tooth portions come out of mesh with a groove of the feed shaft. In addition, it is possible to prevent the rack from coming off the feed shaft to a large extent.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an optical read/write device for reading and/or writing an optical disk includes a rack disposed between the worm gear and the optical pickup head for transferring motion from the worm gear to the optical pickup head. The rack includes a fastening portion for fixing the rack to the optical pickup head, an engaging portion, a spring placed between the fastening portion and the engaging portion for pressing the engaging portion to engage with the worm gear, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion is configured for connecting the fastening portion and the engaging portion and preventing the engaging portion from disengaging from the worm gear.

Abstract: A base of an optical pickup includes a first bearing portion through which one of two guide shafts disposed in parallel to each other is inserted and a second bearing portion through which the other guide shaft is inserted, and is slidable along the two guide shafts. Under the first guide shaft that is inserted through the first bearing portion, a nut hold portion for holding a nut that connects a member of a drive mechanism for driving the base and the base to each other is disposed on the base. The nut hold portion includes an insertion opening that allows the nut to be inserted along a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first guide shaft.

Abstract: An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit including a spindle motor fixture including an opening-formed upper plate, a lateral surface plate bent from the upper plate to form an accommodation space, and a spindle motor fixture concavely formed from the upper plate toward the accommodation space, wherein the spindle motor fixture is integrally formed with the upper plate; and a spindle motor fixed inside the spindle motor fixture to rotate a disk.

Abstract: An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit formed with a first motor fixture concavely formed on an upper plate, and a second motor fixture bent from the upper plate in opposition to the first motor fixture, wherein the first and second motor fixtures are integrally formed on the upper plate; a spindle motor secured inside the first motor fixture to rotate a disk; and a stepping motor rotatably secured to the second motor fixture.

Abstract: There is provided an information-processing equipment including an optical disc drive 40 within a chassis 31 thereof, the optical disc drive comprising: a turntable 41 for rotatably supporting an optical disc; an optical pickup 42 for recording an information signal onto the optical disc and/or reproducing an information signal recorded on the optical disc, and a movement mechanism 43 for moving the optical pickup in a radial direction of the optical disc; wherein a step part 37 extending in a predetermined direction Ls is formed on an inner surface of the chassis in an area where the optical disc drive is to be fixed, and wherein the optical disc drive is fixed in the area on the inner surface of the chassis at three portions 46A, 46B, 46C positioned straddling the step part.

Abstract: In an optical disc drive, a degradation of traveling performance of an optical pickup under hard acceleration or hard deceleration in a random access operation or the like results in a degradation of recording/reproducing performance. Groove structure is provided between two gears of a guide feed provided in an optical pickup, and the groove forms bending structure. Thus, the engagement state between a screw gear and the gears of the guide feed is stabilized. This makes it possible to prevent tooth jumping and step-out from occurring in the gears during the traveling of the optical pickup, achieving stable traveling. In consequence, the recoding/reproducing performance of the optical disc drive can be improved.

Abstract: A linear motor for a laser beam recorder for mastering of optical media. The linear motor has a base and an actuator, the actuator being mounted to the base in a flexible way, such as via a leaf spring. The actuator may have a balance mass as a counter mass. The balance mass is preferably formed by an essential component of the linear motor.

Abstract: An optical disc device has a first optomechanical mechanism, a second optomechanical mechanism, and a sled mechanism. The first optomechanical mechanism is located under an optical disc insertable into the optical disc device to optically access a bottom surface of the optical disc. The second optomechanical mechanism is located over the optical disc insertable into the optical disc device to optically access a top surface of the optical disc. The first and the second optomechanical mechanism are disposed on the sled mechanism. Movement of the sled mechanism results in both the first and the second optomechanical mechanism moving radially in relation to the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical pickup includes: a slide base, having: a first surface; and a second surface; a first substrate fixed to the first surface; a standing frame disposed on the second surface; a second substrate facing the standing frame; a laser diode operable to emit a laser beam to the disk and disposed in the standing frame; an optical, element supported by the second substrate and adapted to receive a reflected beam; a flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable is bent so that one end portion of the flexible flat cable is connected to the second substrate. A curved portion is formed with a slit elongated in a longitudinal direction of the flexible flat cable and defines an outer portion and an inner portion. A width of the inner portion is narrower than a width of the outer portion.

Abstract: A pickup supporter 72 supporting a pickup device 70A includes a driver 76 having an abutting surface 764 that is a flat surface substantially in parallel to an axial direction of a lead screw 752 and intersecting with both a focus direction and a plane direction substantially vertical to the focus direction. With such arrangement, even when a posture of the pickup supporter 72 is changed by adjusting heights of the main shaft 74A and the sub shaft 74B, the screw abutting surface 764 can abut on the lead screw 752 at a substantially constant angle. Therefore, when the posture of the pickup supporter 72 is changed, substantially constant driving force can be transmitted from the lead screw 752, so that stable and proper driving force can be constantly obtained.

Abstract: A device for traversing optical pickup of a disc drive comprises: an optical pickup unit slidably installed at a guide shaft; a lead screw adjacently and parallel installed to the guide shaft; and a feed guide fixed to the optical pickup unit to be engaged with the lead screw using an elastic force of a plate spring.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a plurality of optical heads corresponding to a plurality kind of disks, and a disk distinction device for distinguishing whether a set disk is a first disk or a second disk when a disk is set on a disk tray, a first disk tray conveying mechanism for the first disk and/or the second disk tray conveying mechanism for the second disk conveys the disk tray to a first tray position in which recording and/or reproducing is performed on the first tray or the second tray position in which recording and/or reproducing is performed on the second tray, according to a result distinguished by the disk distinction device, thereby, an optical head corresponding to a disk set to the disk tray is selected correctly and a recording or reproducing operation is performed on the disk.

Abstract: A disc drive carrier unit installed on an installation surface of a computer casing is proposed. The installation surface has at least a first positioning piece and a first fixation piece, and both are perpendicular to each other. The disc drive carrier unit has a frame for encompassing and securing a disc drive, a second positioning piece for engaging with the first positioning piece, and at least a second fixation piece for correspondently securing to the first fixation piece. The second positioning piece of the disc drive carrier unit has an engaging function to replace the partial locking design of the conventional technology, for ease of assembly/disassembly and reduction of the assembly cost.

Abstract: The invention is a pickup mounting structure capable of executing with precision, positioning and moving position control of a pickup mounted on a base plate member, even if the thickness of the base plate member is rendered smaller. With the pickup mounting structure, a substantially rectangular opening is provided in the central part of a base plate member made of metal, and a rib is formed around the entire periphery of the opening. A holder formed integrally with the rib is provided in the central part of the opening so as to bridge across the opening, and a cable fixture member made of a synthetic resin is fitted to a flat plate part of the holder, which is rectangular. The cable fixture member is provided with pawls in such a way as to be protruded therefrom, and a cable bent substantially at a right angle is fitted among the pawls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed screw driving apparatus that moves a power transmission member, which engages a feed screw, in an axial direction of the feed screw by rotationally driving the feed screw using a driving source, such as an electric motor, and also to an information recording and/or reproducing apparatus that moves a pick-up apparatus with this feed screw driving apparatus and records and/or reproduces an information signal onto or from a disc-like recording medium In a feed screw driving apparatus that moves a power transmission member, which engages a feed screw, in an axial direction of the feed screw by rotationally driving the feed screw using a driving source, there is provided an elastic member that energizes the power transmission member in the axial direction of the feed screw.

Abstract: This device has an optical pickup section, a first rack portion provided on the optical pickup section, a slide member having an opening/closing portion for opening/closing a facing surface of the objective lens to the optical disc and a second rack portion provided to be slidable on the first rack portion, and a driving mechanism having a driving gear which meshes with the first rack portion and the second rack portion. In this device, when the optical pickup section is moved to a predetermined position, the meshing state of the first rack portion with the driving gear is canceled and the second rack portion is driven by the driving gear to move the slide member, thereby moving the opening/closing portion from a position for opening the facing surface side of the objective lens to a position for closing the facing surface side.

Abstract: This device has an optical pickup section, a first rack portion provided on the optical pickup section, a slide member having an opening/closing portion for opening/closing a facing surface of the objective lens to the optical disc and a second rack portion provided to be slidable on the first rack portion, and a driving mechanism having a driving gear which meshes with the first rack portion and the second rack portion. In this device, when the optical pickup section is moved to a predetermined position, the meshing state of the first rack portion with the driving gear is canceled and the second rack portion is driven by the driving gear to move the slide member, thereby moving the opening/closing portion from a position for opening the facing surface side of the objective lens to a position for closing the facing surface side.

Abstract: A disc recorder/player that prevents foreign matter such as dust or the like from adhering to a drive shaft for assuring a highly accurate position control of the movable write and/or read unit. In the disc recorder/player, an electromechanical transducer is used as a drive source provided in a feeding mechanism for an optical pickup to expand and contract a drive shaft installed on the electromechanical transducer, and a dustproof cover unit is provided on a base to cover the top of the drive shaft. When the optical pickup supported on the drive shaft is moved, the dustproof cover unit can prevent dust, having entered when a disc cartridge is introduced into or removed from the disc recorder/player, from adhering to the drive shaft.

Abstract: This device has an optical pickup section, a first rack portion provided on the optical pickup section, a slide member having an opening/closing portion for opening/closing a facing surface of the objective lens to the optical disc and a second rack portion provided to be slidable on the first rack portion, and a driving mechanism having a driving gear which meshes with the first rack portion and the second rack portion. In this device, when the optical pickup section is moved to a predetermined position, the meshing state of the first rack portion with the driving gear is canceled and the second rack portion is driven by the driving gear to move the slide member, thereby moving the opening/closing portion from a position for opening the facing surface side of the objective lens to a position for closing the facing surface side.

Abstract: A scanning device for a disc-shaped information carrier about an axis of rotation having a linear motor that can displace the scanning unit in a radial direction. The linear motor comprises a first part and a second part guided with respect to each other in the radial direction by a straight guide. The first part comprises pairs of magnets having opposite directions of magnetization. The second part includes an electric coil system with winding portions. The linear motor is further provided with a control unit for controlling an electric current in the coil system. The control unit controls electric current in the winding portions if the winding portion is present in a magnetic transition region between the pair of magnets, resulting in a Lorentz force in the winding portion, substantially perpendicularly to the straight guide. The Lorentz force is used to fix the degrees of freedom of the second part with respect to the first part.

Abstract: An engaging head implemented in a movement converting mechanism to engage with a screwed rod comprises an attachment body, a gear part, and a resilient pre-loading element. The attachment body has a pushing sidewall. The gear part has an inner surface facing the pushing sidewall of the attachment body, and an opposite outer surface provided with gear teeth. The resilient pre-loading element is mounted between the pushing sidewall of the attachment body and the inner surface, and has a side abutting against the pushing sidewall and another side abutting against the inner surface of the gear part. Being compressed between the pushing sidewall and the inner surface, the resilient pre-loading element thereby exerts a pre-loaded engagement pressure that results in a deflection of the gear part to ensure an adequate engagement of the gear teeth with the screwed rod.

Abstract: A structure for securing a spindle motor (15) supported on a motor substrate (32) to a chassis (13). The motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) are coupled by at least three coupling sections (33). At least two of the coupling sections (33) are fixed support members (33a) which hold and space the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) from each other at a prescribed distance. The remaining coupling section is an adjusting support member (33b) that holds the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) from each other at a variable distance. Rigid holding means is incorporated in the adjusting support member (33b) and holds the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) so that the motor substrate (32) and the chassis (13) remain rigid.