Abstract: A step movement mechanism is provided, which comprises a driven member and driving means, which drives the driven member. The driven member is formed with a plurality of equally spaced first concave cambered surfaces and a plurality of equally spaced force-bearing surface pairs. The two surfaces of each surface pair face each other. The driving means comprise a drive source to rotate a cam gear. The cam gear carries a rotation pin and stop means both rotating with the cam gear. The stop means are in contact with one of the first concave cambered surfaces when the step movement mechanism is in a stop position so as to prevent the driven member from moving. The rotation pin is temporarily in contact with one surface of the force bearing surface pair so as to move the driven member by one step when the cam gear rotates one revolution in either direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elevator type changer for optical recording media including a moveable drawer supporting a number of trays arranged one above the other, each tray capable of holding an optical recording medium, which allows access to all trays at the same time. According to the invention, a changer for optical recording media including a moveable drawer supporting a number of trays arranged one above the other, each tray being capable of holding an optical recording medium, the trays being mounted such that they are pivotable about a horizontal axis of the drawer, is characterized in that the trays are pivoted about the horizontal axis by a rotating movement of a rotation cam connected to the drawer.

Abstract: A disk changer for CD and DVD disks including a rotatable platter with several slots each adapted for receiving a disk generally needs two optical sensors. The first sensor is adapted for detecting the number of a related slot of the platter and for providing a stop signal for the rotation of the platter. The second sensor is adapted for detecting the presence or absence of a disk in a given slot. Said sensors and their associated evaluation circuits are expensive components. Therefore it is an object to simplify the means for realizing said sensors. Said second sensor has the form of a link hingedly mounted between its two ends a first end of the link contacting the surface of the disk and a second end of the link cooperating with said first optical sensor. By this solution said second sensor and its associated evaluation circuit can be omitted substantially reducing the total costs of the changer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elevator type changer for optical recording media including a moveable drawer supporting a number of trays arranged one above the other, each tray capable of holding an optical recording medium, which allows access to all trays at the same time. According to the invention, a changer for optical recording media including a moveable drawer supporting a number of trays arranged one above the other, each tray being capable of holding an optical recording medium, the trays being mounted such that they are pivotable about a horizontal axis of the drawer, is characterized in that the trays are pivoted about the horizontal axis by a rotating movement of a rotation cam connected to the drawer.

Abstract: A step movement mechanism is provided, which comprises a driven member and driving means, which drives the driven member. The driven member is formed with a plurality of equally spaced first concave cambered surfaces and a plurality of equally spaced force-bearing surface pairs. The two surfaces of each surface pair face each other. The driving means comprise a drive source to rotate a cam gear. The cam gear carries a rotation pin and stop means both rotating with the cam gear. The stop means are in contact with one of the first concave cambered surfaces when the step movement mechanism is in a stop position so as to prevent the driven member from moving. The rotation pin is temporarily in contact with one surface of the force bearing surface pair so as to move the driven member by one step when the cam gear rotates one revolution in either direction.

Abstract: A disk changer for CD and DVD disks including a rotatable platter with several slots each adapted for receiving a disk generally needs two optical sensors. The first sensor is adapted for detecting the number of a related slot of the platter and for providing a stop signal for the rotation of the platter. The second sensor is adapted for detecting the presence or absence of a disk in a given slot. Said sensors and their associated evaluation circuits are expensive components. Therefore it is an object to simplify the means for realizing said sensors. Said second sensor has the form of a link (8) hingedly mounted between its two ends (10, 11) a first end (10) of the link (8) contacting the surface of the disk (4) and a second end (11) of the link (8) cooperating with said first optical sensor (6). By this solution said second sensor and its associated evaluation circuit can be omitted substantially reducing the total costs of the changer.

Abstract: A changer for CD and/or DVD disks generally includes a drawer slidably mounted within a chassis of the changer and supporting a number of disk plates arranged one above the other and each holding a disk therein.