Abstract: A method includes producing a first surface acoustic wave (SAW) on a magnetic head slider using a first interdigitated transducer (IDT), wherein the SAW has a first set of wave characteristics. The method also includes receiving the first SAW at a second IDT on the magnetic head slider. The method also includes analyzing the SAW for a second set of wave characteristics. The method also includes determining, based on the analyzing, that a substance having at least one characteristic is located in a path of the SAW on the magnetic head slider.

Abstract: An optical pickup device is provided, a cover of which covering a housing is prevented from deforming. A principal surface of an optical pickup device of the present invention is covered with a cover 13. The cover 13 includes: a cover portion 13G; a hole portion 13 provided at an end in the longitudinal direction and is screwed; an engagement portion 13A provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction and is engaged with the housing; and an engagement portion 13D engaged with the opening portion of the housing in the middle part. The engagement portion 13D placed in the middle part of the cover portion 13G is engaged with the housing to prevent the cover portion 13G from bulging outward.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is provided with a reel mounted for rotation in a housing. Tape with a length, a width and a thickness, is wound upon the reel in a length direction of the tape. A leader is mounted to a free end of the tape. The leader has at least one portion with a width greater than the tape width to clean a tape path, such as a guide and/or a lens. Another tape cartridge is provided with a reel mounted for rotation in a housing. Tape is wound upon the reel in a length direction of the tape. A leader is mounted to a free end of the tape. A brush is mounted to a portion of the leader for cleaning a tape path.

Abstract: A pickup damper is provided. The pickup damper is configured to be installed adjacent to a plurality of guide shafts installed on opposite sides of an opening of a base chassis, configured to collide with a pickup and relieve shock via at least three steps in response to an external shock being applied, and configured to prevent the pickup from colliding with the guide shafts to protect the pickup.

Abstract: A method for stopping a spindle motor of an optical disc drive includes the following steps. Firstly, in response to the receipt of a disabling command, the spindle motor of the optical disc drive is braked, so that a rotating speed of the spindle motor is reduced to be smaller than or equal to a predetermined rotating speed during a specified time period, wherein the predetermined rotating speed is greater than zero. Then, a preparatory stopping procedure of an optical pickup head is performed during the specified time period. Afterwards, the optical disc drive responds that the disabling command has been executed after the specified time period.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and/or reproducing device comprising a drive for rotating an optical disc around an axis of rotation, a movable optical pickup unit (5) and a frame (1) having at least one guiding rod (4) for guiding a displacement of the optical pickup unit (5) in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation . The guiding rod (4) is provided with a protrusion (17) for restricting the movement of the optical pickup unit (5) when the guiding rod (4) is in a predetermined rotational position. The guiding rod (4) is rotationally drivable by an electric drive motor in order to move the protrusion (17) for either releasing or blocking the optical pickup unit (5).

Abstract: An optical pickup includes a lens holder; an objective lens provided on the lens holder and having an effective region for collecting light from a light source and an edge located outer to the effective region; and a lens protector provided on the lens holder. The lens protector protrudes toward an optical disc more than the objective lens. The edge of the objective lens includes a convexed portion protruding toward the optical disc. An apex of the effective region of the objective lens protrudes toward the optical disc more than the convexed portion of the edge. A straight line connecting a part of the edge of the objective lens and a part of the lens protector is closer to the optical disc than the apex of the effective region of the objective lens.

Abstract: In an optical tape drive system, a movable planarizer subsystem includes a tape planarizer support structure for supporting an optical tape planarizer. The support structure is moveable between an operational position and a non-operational position. The movable planarizer subsystem also includes an actuator for moving the support structure and the optical tape planarizer between the operational position and the non-operational position. The operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit reading/writing of information from/to an optical tape via an optical pickup unit (OPU), and the non-operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit passage of a tape leader through the tape drive system without damage to the OPU.

Abstract: A pickup damper is provided. The pickup damper is configured to be installed adjacent to a plurality of guide shafts installed on opposite sides of an opening of a base chassis, configured to collide with a pickup and relieve shock via at least three steps in response to an external shock being applied, and configured to prevent the pickup from colliding with the guide shafts to protect the pickup.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus comprises a laser beam source to generate laser beam, and a laser driving circuit to drive the laser beam source. The laser driving circuit is connected to a flexible substrate and arranged in a groove or hole provided in the vicinity of that portion of an optical pickup housing, to which the laser beam source is fixed. The laser driving circuit is connected through a heat conduction member to an upper cover among upper and lower covers, the upper cover being close to the laser driving circuit. Thereby, heat generated from the laser driving circuit is conducted through the heat conduction member to the upper cover to be transferred outside the optical pickup apparatus while being scattered in an inplane direction of the upper cover.

Abstract: The invention provides a protection cover of a pick-up head provided on a traverse of an optical drive. A plate flatly is positioned on an upper surface of the traverse, and the plate has a slot, with one end of the slot fastened to a spindle motor to clamp a disc and the other end of the slot forming a staying part for the pick-up head to stay in a stand-by mode. The pick-up head is disposed in the slot and has an objective lens. When the objective lens stays in the staying part out of a periphery of a 12-cm disc, the protection cover crosses over the staying part to protect the objective lens.

Abstract: An objective lens actuator comprises, two objective lenses, each for focusing lights upon an optical disc, an objective lens holder member for holding the objective lenses thereon, and lens protectors for preventing the objective lenses from being contacted on the optical disc, wherein the lens protectors include first and second lens protectors, which are provided on both end portions of the objective lens holder member in a tracking direction, and a third lens protector, which is provided in a middle of the two objective lenses, wherein the first and second lens protectors, which are provided on both end portions of the objective lens holder member in the tracking direction, are provided the objective lenses and end portion of the objective lens holder member in the tracking direction, and the third lens protector, which is provided between the objective lenses, has a height closer to that of the optical disc than the protectors, which are provided on both end portions of the objective lens holder member in

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin optical disc drive whose impact resistance performance is improved. An under cover 19 is provided with a collision evasion hole 21 at a position corresponding to an end of an optical head housing 25. Moreover, a bottom cover 4 is provided with an impact force buffering member 22 at a position corresponding to the collision evasion hole. When an impact force acts on an optical disc drive 1, the impact force to the optical head housing 25 is buffered by the structure. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the optical head 8 from being damaged, and it is possible to improve the reliability of the optical disc drive 1.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for reducing impact forces in driving an optical pick-up unit is provided. The optical disc drive for driving an optical disc includes an optical pick-up unit, a guide bar, a rack, and a driving unit. The optical pick-up unit is configured for reading data from or writing data to the optical disc. The guide bar penetrates through the optical pick-up unit for supporting the optical pick-up unit. The rack engagably receives a part of the optical pick-up unit. The rack defines a slot therein. The slot extends along a direction substantially parallel with an extending direction of the guide bar. The driving unit is mechanically coupled to the rack. The driving unit drives the rack and the optical pick-up unit to move along a radial direction of the optical disc to track the optical disc.

Abstract: A pre-coated metal sheet for slot-in drive cases which has a metal sheet; chemical conversion coatings formed on both sides of the metal sheet; and a coating film formed on one of the chemical conversion coatings and containing at least one base resin selected from a polyester-series resin, an epoxy-series resin and an acrylic-series resin, at least one resin beads selected from nylon-series resin beads, fluorine-series resin beads and urethane-series resin beads, and at least one lubricant a3 selected from carnauba wax, polyethylene wax and microcrystalline wax. The coating film has a surface having an arithmetical mean deviation of the assessed profile Ra of 0.3 to 4.5 ?m and a mean width of the profile elements, RSm, of 105 to 280 ?m, and the ratio of mean particle diameter of the resin beads to coating film layer thickness of the coating film is in the range of 2.0 to 3.0.

Abstract: An optical disk player includes a chassis, an optical pick-up head including a support member defining a guiding slot, and a guiding member molded integrally with the chassis, wherein the guiding member is received in the guiding slot and the optical pick-up head is slidably supported on the guiding member.

Abstract: An objective lens actuator includes a lens holder, a protector holder, and a protector. The lens holder in which the objective lens is provided has a face configured to oppose the disc. The protector holder is provided on the face of the lens holder. The protector is formed with an opening defined by a first inner face, a second inner face and a bottom face between the first inner face and the second inner face. The protector has a parallelepiped shape elongating in a first direction parallel to the disc. A part of the protector is inserted in the opening so as to contact the first inner face and the second inner face and to extend from the bottom face toward the disc. A first distance between an end of the protector in a second direction in which the protector extends toward the disc and the disc is shorter than a second distance between the objective lens and the disc. A gap is formed between an end of the opening and an end of the protector in the first direction.

Abstract: A cleaning disc for a media reading device having a laser lens. The cleaning disc includes a first surface configured to face the laser lens, a brush extending outwardly from the first surface, and a recess in the first surface configured to receive at least a portion of the brush when the brush contacts the laser lens during a cleaning operation. Each brush is defined by a strand of material that includes opposite ends. A first end of the material extends through a first aperture to define a first brush and a second end extends through a second, spaced apart aperture to define a second brush. A middle portion of the strand of material extends along a second surface of the cleaning disc between the first and second apertures, and is covered by a cover.

Abstract: An optical disc drive is disclosed. The optical disc drive comprises an optical pickup base including an optical pickup movable in the radius direction of an optical disc; and a main base holding the optical pickup base, wherein the main base comprises a guide rib protruding from the main base and guiding the air flow generated by the rotation of the optical disc to the optical pickup. Further, the optical pickup comprises an air spoiler for preventing contamination of an objective lens included in the optical pickup. The optical disc drive is able to control the temperature of an optical pickup unit by guiding the air flow generated by the rotation of an optical disc to the optical pickup. Moreover, the optical disc drive can reduce contamination of the objective lens of the optical pickup due to the air flow generated by the rotation of the optical disc.

Abstract: An integrated disk driving module is disclosed, the module including a base unit including an opening-formed upper plate, a lateral surface plate bent from an edge of the upper plate to form an accommodation space, and a stepping motor fixture bent from the upper plate toward the accommodation space, wherein the stepping motor fixture is integrally formed with the upper plate; and a stepping motor including a lead screw and a pivot member arranged at a distal end of the lead screw and coupled to the stepping motor fixture, and wherein the stepping motor fixture is formed with an insertion groove into which the pivot member is secured, where width of the insertion groove is larger than a diameter of the pivot member.

Abstract: An optical disc device comprising a tray (1) for carrying an optical disc, which tray (1) can move between a position inside the device and a position partly outside the device. The device also comprises a structure (13) for holding and driving the optical disc, which structure (13) is provided with a turntable (6) and an optical pickup unit (8) and guiding means for moving the optical pickup unit (8). The structure (13) can tilt around a horizontal tilt axis (14) behind the rotating optical disc. The tray (1) is provided with a catch member (9) and the optical pickup unit (8) is provided with a cooperating catch surface (20), whereby the catch member (9) may hit the catch surface (20) when the tray (1) moves, thereby displacing the optical pickup unit (8) into a save position.

Abstract: An optical disk device of the present application includes: a turntable 30 including plural induction grooves 31a to 31h as concave portions radially extending from vicinity of a center of the turntable 30 and having open portions in an outer periphery of the turntable 30 and plural through-holes 32a to 32h penetrating bottom faces 33a to 33h on the vicinity of the center side of the plural induction grooves 31a to 31h and a top face of the turntable 30; and an outer rotor type spindle motor 35 provided with plural fins 36a to 36h as convex portions on a rotor on a side face thereof. The optical disk device of the present application utilizes an airflow generated by rotation of the rotor of the spindle motor 35 and the turntable 30 in conjunction therewith as a dust removing wind for removing dust attaching to an objective lens side area.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical pickup device employing a disc protector that includes a plurality of first protrusions and at least one second protrusion disposed on the lens holder, wherein the first protrusions are formed by applying a first adhesive to a plurality of areas of a top surface of the lens holder, wherein the first protrusions are arranged at different locations in the tracking direction such that the objective lens is sandwiched between the first protrusions, wherein the at least one second protrusion protrudes is formed by applying a second adhesive to at least one area of the top surface of the lens holder, and wherein tips of the first protrusions are closer to the optical disc than a tip of the at least one second protrusion.

Abstract: According to another aspect, an optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a frame, a spindle motor, a pair of parallel guide rails, an optical pickup head, and a shield mounted on the guide rails. The shield extends a protection surface higher than a lens of the optical pickup head. The protection surface is in an optical disc region and lowers than the optical disc when the optical disc is supported on the spindle motor.

Abstract: An optical pickup device having an optical module provided with an optical element and bonded and fixed to an optical pickup case, wherein the optical module is fixed to the optical pickup case by a first ultraviolet curing adhesive at at least two positions with an optical axis between the positions, the optical axis extending from the optical element to the optical pickup case, and at least a part of an exposed surface of the first ultraviolet curing adhesive is covered with a second ultraviolet curing adhesive higher in hardness or elastic modulus than the first ultraviolet curing adhesive to diminish an optical axis offset of the optical pickup device, further, a heat dissipating material higher in thermal conductivity than the first and second ultraviolet curing adhesives is brought into contact with both optical module and optical pickup case to improve the heat dissipating performance of the optical pickup device.

Abstract: An information reproducing device includes an information recording medium housing portion 8 for housing an information recording medium 7 that is detachably attached, a pickup 75 for reading information recorded at least on the information recording medium 7, and a pickup restrainer 94 for restraining a displacement that exceeds a normal operating range of the pickup 75, wherein the pickup restrainer 94 is constructed to displace in response to loading/unloading of the information recording medium 7 into/from the information recording medium housing portion 8.

Abstract: An objective lens actuator is provided which includes two objective lenses mounted on a movable body, and which is capable of preventing the movable body from coming into contact or collision with a disk and whose thickness becomes thinner. When a light beam is concentrated and focused on a high-density optical disk, D1 represents the distance between the disk surface and the part of the movable body in the closest position to the disk; when a light beam is concentrated and focused on a CD, D2 represents the distance between the disk surface and the part of the movable body in the closest position to the disk; when a light beam is concentrated and focused on a DVD, D3 represents the distance between the disk surface and the part of the movable body in the closest position to the disk; and the following relational expression (1) is satisfied, D1<D2<D3??(1).

Abstract: The lens protector serving as a means for preventing a scratch of an objective lens and an optical disc of the optical pick-up in which a signal-recording surface of the optical disc is irradiated with light beams to read signals from the signal-recording layer and/or record signals on the signal-recording layer. The lens protector is a molding of silicone rubber and has a rubber hardness not more than 40°, when the rubber hardness is measured in accordance with JIS-A.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens holder and a lens protector having little burrs and no gate marks formed an a surface thereof confronting an optical disc and a method of manufacturing the lens holder and the lens protector. The lens holder is formed in integration with a boss by injection-molding and has a hole capable of holding an objective lens on a surface of the lens holder confronting an optical disc. The boss having a gate and a contact portion which contacts a ejector pin is formed on a peripheral side surface of the lens holder when the injection molding is performed and cut off from the lens holder after the injection molding finishes.

Abstract: A recording-medium driving apparatus includes a loading unit in which a removable recording medium is loaded, an access unit that accesses the recording medium loaded in the loading unit, a detector that detects the relationship between the recording medium and the loading unit, an air-direction adjustment controller that determines to which of the loading unit and the access unit air is sent, on the basis of the detection performed by the detector, and a blower that sends the air to one of the loading unit and the access unit on the basis of the determination made by the air-direction adjustment controller.

Abstract: A tray unit is slidably attached to a frame. The tray unit comprises a disc tray which slides with respect to the frame, and a pickup unit supported by a damper to the disc tray. The pickup unit includes a shutter for closing an opening through which an optical pickup is exposed when the disc tray is drawn out of the frame. The shutter is opened or closed according to a condition of contact between a tip of a shutter opening/closing lever projecting from a side wall of the disc tray and a cam fixed on the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disk apparatus which has a cover to cover and uncover an objective lens provided in an optical pickup, thus preventing the objective lens from being contaminated with dust, etc. The optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup conveying a cover conveying body, and a cover body which actuates the cover. The optical disk apparatus further includes an objective lens protective unit comprising a rack and pinion assembly for operating the cover In the optical disk apparatus of the present invention, the objective lens protective unit is operated by a rotation of the drive motor to move the cover, thus covering and uncovering the objective lens. Therefore, the objective lens is efficiently protected from outside dust.

Abstract: A protective device (1) for protecting an optical head (2) of a disc drive unit against dirt and dust and shock when the disc drive unit is not in use comprises a carrier disc (5) similar to a music CD disc for engaging in the disc receiving area of the disc drive unit. A brush member (6) located on the carrier disc (5) at a position corresponding to the inner data track (10) of a music CD disc is provided for engaging a lens (3) and a peripheral portion (7) of a lens carrier (4) of the head (2) when the head (2) is in the inactive position for protecting the lens (3) and the peripheral portion (7) against dirt and dust. Fibers (15) of the brush member (6) embrace the lens (3) when the head (2) is in the inactive position.

Abstract: An optical disk device of the present invention has a main PC board carrying a semiconductor element and attached at the rear of a drawer to efficiently dissipate a heat generated from the semiconductor element. The drawer is formed of a material having good thermal conductivity. A thermal conductive member having good thermal conductivity is interposed between the IC desired to be dissipate heat and the drawer.

Abstract: A disk drive unit advantageously prevents dust from adhering to a pickup. The disk drive unit has a housing and a tray. The tray reciprocates between a retracted position and a projected position. A first pickup and a second pickup have a spindle motor located therebetween. The tray has a first cutout and a second cutout. A cover is provided to cover the top of the second pickup in its retreated position. The cover has a cover piece, which is disposed in a front portion of the cover that is positioned on the upstream side relative to the rotational direction of a disk-shaped recording medium such that it is movable in a direction parallel to the direction in which the second pickup moves, and urged in the projecting direction.

Abstract: An optical disk device of the present invention has a main PC board carrying a semiconductor element and attached at the rear of a drawer to efficiently dissipate a heat generated from the semiconductor element. The drawer is formed of a material having good thermal conductivity. A thermal conductive member having good thermal conductivity is interposed between the IC desired to be dissipate heat and the drawer.

Abstract: Light from a light source is led to a condensing lens by a light leading unit and is condensed onto an optical recording medium by the condensing lens. Light reflected from the optical recording medium is led to a light sensing device through a spot adjustment lens facing the light sensing device. Between the spot adjustment lens and the light sensing device, a cylindrical dustproof member is provided. The full periphery of an optical path extending between the spot adjustment lens and the light sensing device is covered with the dustproof member. It can prevent intrusion of a foreign matter such as dusts into the optical path extending between the spot adjustment lens and the light sensing device.

Abstract: A tilt adjusting apparatus for an optical disc player to adjust a tilt of an optical pickup having adjusting ends positioned on at least first ends of two guide shafts that guide reciprocating motion of the optical pickup, elastic members positioned below the adjusting ends to bias the adjusting ends in a first direction, stoppers positioned on brackets above the adjusting end, to limit adjustment of the adjusting ends in the first direction, and adjusting screws coupled to the stoppers, to adjust the adjusting ends in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby adjusting the inclination of the guide shafts. The stoppers are sized so that the optical pickup does not contact a lower surface of the disc even during large inclinations of the guide shaft.

Abstract: By not recording a signal which can be the subject of focussing on a disc, a simple and inexpensive lens cleaner is provided which is able to perform cleaning of an object lens in a simple and reliable manner, without causing the disc to rotate, even in a standard disc device. In order to clean the object lens of the optical disc device, a bristle brush which makes contact with the object lens is provided on the disc, an operating ribbon for operating the disc from the outside of the device is attached to the disc, and no recording face that can be the subject of focussing by the object lens is provided, or alternatively, no signal that can be the subject of focussing by the object lens is recorded, on the face of the disc adjacent to the object lens.

Abstract: A magneto-optical head including a lens forming a light spot on a storage disk, a magnetic field generating coil arranged between the lens and the disk to surround the optical center of the lens, and an annular heat sink arranged around the coil. The distance between the outer circumference of the coil and the inner circumference of the heat sink is 70–100 ?m.

Abstract: A communication hole (55) is provided in a pickup base (51). A laser light source (61) is provided at an end of the communication hole (55). A grating (71) is provided at another end of the communication hole (55). The communication hole (55) is provided with a heat radiation path (81) which connects the inside of the communication hole (55) with the outside of the pickup base (51). Heat generated from the laser light source (61) is radiated from the heat radiation path (81).

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a projection that projects toward an optical disk and projects out of a surface of an objective lens facing the optical disk to prevent collision of the objective lens and the optical disk. The shock absorber has a surface resistivity of not more than 1010 ? at least for the projection. In this way, the shock absorber (projection) will not be electrified when the optical disk and the shock absorber (projection) collide with each other, and accordingly the shock absorber (projection, in particular) does not attract dust or particles. As a result, the dust or particles do not damage the optical disk even when the optical disk and the shock absorber (projection) collide again.

Abstract: An optical pickup device includes a feed screw to move an optical pickup having an objective lens radially on an optical disc, a sliding member provided for slidable movement in relation to the optical pickup, and connected to the optical pickup by a coil spring that forces a shutter in a direction of unmasking the objective lens, and a connection member that connects the feed screw and sliding member to each other. As the feed screw is rotated, the sliding member moves the optical pickup radially on the optical disc, and when the optical pickup has arrived at a position at the lead-in side of the optical disc, the sliding member is further slid against the force of the coil spring to move the shutter and mask the objective lens.

Abstract: A impact cushion mechanism for pick up head is installed in an optical disc drive, wherein the optical disc drive is equipped with a pick up head spanning two guide bars whereas one side of the pick up head can move back and forth along the two guide bars. The impact cushion mechanism for pick up head includes two elastic pieces respectively installed at the front and the rear of the connecting device connected with a driving mechanism. When the pick up head moves forward or backward and collides with other objects, a chassis for instance, the impact force can be reduced by means of the elastic piece.

Abstract: A protective cover for an objective of an optical head is proposed which can be moved between a position covering the objective and a position exposing the objective. In the position exposing the objective, the protective cover is positioned outside the plane between the optical head and an optical recording medium located opposite the optical head.

Abstract: A soft adhesive agent whose force occurring at the time of curing is small is applied between a rib and a PD, and after the curing of the soft adhesive agent, a hard adhesive agent whose force occurring at the time of curing is large is applied between the rib and a plate. Thus since a sensor portion is fixed to a main-body base with two kinds of adhesive agents including the soft adhesive agent and the hard adhesive agent, it is possible to suppress the positional offset of the sensor portion at the time of its attachment, and it is possible to sufficiently ensure reliability with respect to the temperature change as well.

Abstract: In a disc driving apparatus, wherein a laser diode and a laser driver circuit board are mounted on a pickup housing in thermal contact therewith and are disposed adjacent to each other, a heat separation member is provided between the laser diode and the laser driver circuit board for effecting thermal separation therebetween, thereby reducing the thermal interference between the heat-generating elements that are adjacent to each other in the optical pickup. This makes it possible to protect the heat-generating elements from being deteriorated, leading to a reduction in the lifetime thereof, as well as, to improve the reliability thereof.

Abstract: A coating comprising a urethane resin as a base, and at least polyurethane particles and fluororesin powder is formed on a surface of a member that is, or can be, contacted with an optical disk in an optical disk apparatus. The coating can prevent the optical disk, i.e., a CD, a DVD, etc., from damaging, even if the optical disk is contacted with a tray or an objective lens.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for an optical pick-up, which is able to be placed on a tray of a compact disk drive for fixing the optical pick-up, and the fixing apparatus includes a flat plate and a stop piece. The flat plate is placed on the tray and held firmly on top of the tray and the stop piece is installed on a surface of the flat plate for stopping the movement of the optical pick-up. Hence, the fixing apparatus can avoid any damages to the optical pick-up when the compact disk drive is under external shock or falling impact during being delivered.

Abstract: An optical reproducing/recording apparatus (100) has a core (1), a frame (2), a top cover (4), a bottom cover (5), a drawer (3), a front panel (7) and anti-dust elements (61-65). The top and bottom covers, the frame, and the front panel engage each other to form an enclosure enclosing the core. At least one of the top and bottom covers has a plurality of position holes (431) by which the reproducing/recording apparatus is fixed in a computer. The anti-dust elements are attached to the at least one cover and drawer and cover the position holes and gaps.