Abstract: The invention relates to tonearm tracking mechanisms in phonograph players and mechanical devices constructed for the purpose of reproducing or playing back recorded audio material previously impressed, in the form or grooves, onto a surface of a disk, which are commonly called phonograph players or turntables. Such disk is commonly called, among other similar words, a phonograph record or a vinyl disk. The present invention is a tangential tracking tonearm mechanism, wherein the tonearm bearing subassembly has two rotary bearings in the lateral plane and a coupling linkage built into a compact subassembly. The collective contribution of these elements, when properly configured and appropriately adjusted, make, during playback of audio material on a disk, reduced playback distortion over radial tracking mechanisms and closely mimics the conditions under which nearly all masters are made.

Abstract: A system for duplication of data onto disks includes a housing, a drawer device, a transport mechanism, a set of disk holders, an arm and a control device. The housing includes a printing device and a set of copy units. The transport mechanism is connected to the arm for moving individual disks between the disk holders, the drawer device and the set of copy units. The control device automatically controls the various functions of various components of the system for duplication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dynamically positioning the objective lens in an optical disk drive to maintain focus despite loss of perpendicularity between the light beam and the information layer of the optical disk. Loss of perpendicularity may occur as a result of any number of factors, including irregularities in the manufacture of the disk, manufacturing tolerances and assembly of the disk drive components, bearing defect frequencies, shock and vibration. Failure to maintain perpendicularity may interference with the ability of the optical pick up unit of the drive to accurately read and write. The tilt focus mechanism of the present invention utilizes a rotary actuator that positions the objective lens in three dimensions relative to the surface of the optical disk.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for aligning a rotating device such as an actuator assembly to a base of, for example, a disk drive. The device is rotatably mounted to the base about the pivot pin. The method may involve adjusting the angular position of the pivot pin relative to the base unless or until the actuator assembly rotates in a first plane parallel to a second plane containing a surface of the data storage disk. In one embodiment, the data storage disk is mounted for rotation on a disk rotation motor. The disk rotation motor, in turn, is mounted to a base. With the device positioned between the base and the data storage disk, the device is rotated about the pivot pin. While the device is rotated about the pivot pin, electrical current is provided to the device. The magnitude of the electrical current is proportional or inversely proportional to a distance D separating the device from the data storage disk. The electrical current is monitored as the device rotates about the pivot pin.

Abstract: A drive-force transmitting mechanism includes a drive disk and a driven disk that are rotatable about an axis. The driven disk has two diametrically opposing engagement portions. The drive disk has two levers pivotally mounted thereon, each lever having a clutch pin formed thereon. The two disks are disposed so that the levers are sandwiched between the two disks. The levers are operatively coupled through a coupling member such that rotation of one lever is transmitted to the other. A cam member has a groove that guides a pin member of one lever such that when the drive disk rotates through a first angle, the pins move toward the axis to engage the engagement portions to transmit rotation of the drive disk to the driven disk, and when the drive disk rotates through another angle, the pins move away from the axis to disengage from the engagement portions.

Abstract: A swing arm driving type optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes a base, at least one optical disk rotatably installed on the base, both sides of which are information recording surfaces and a plurality of optical pickups which are equal in number to the information recording surfaces so as to form light spots on the respective information recording surfaces of the optical disk. Each optical pickup includes a light source for irradiating light. The apparatus also includes optical path changing units respectively arranged on optical paths between the light sources and respective ones of the information recording surfaces for changing the traveling paths of the lights and objective lenses arranged between the optical path changing units and the respective information recording surfaces for condensing incident light on the respective information recording surfaces.

Abstract: An optical head has a head gimbal assembly on which a light emitting laser is mounted. A tab extends from the assembly and a photo-detector is mounted on the tab. The tab extends from the load beam of the head gimbal assembly. Alternatively, the tab extends from a flexure of the head disk assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that includes a base, a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to read or write data to a data storage disk. The first device is rotatably mounted to the base and configured to rotate in a first plane. The second device is also mounted to the base. The second device is configured to adjustably limit rotational movement of the first device in the first plane. In one embodiment, the second device includes a camming surface. The camming surface can be perpendicular to the first plane in which the first device rotates. In this embodiment, the second device is rotatably mounted to the base with the second device capable of rotation between first and second positions. The first device is rotatable between third and fourth positions when the second device is in the first position, and the first device is rotatable between third and fifth positions when the second device is in the second position. The fourth and fifth positions are different from each other.

Abstract: A disc drive actuation system for precisely positioning a read/write head over a selected track of a rotatable disc. The actuation system comprises a flexure, a slider, and a read/write head firmly attached to the slider. A first drive unit is used to pivot the flexure to position the read/write head approximately over a selected track. A microactuator is mounted to the flexure and the slider is mounted to the microactuator. The microactuator comprises an inner inactive region, a first outer inactive region, a second outer inactive region, a first piezoelectric section mounted between the first outer inactive region and the inner inactive region, and a second piezoelectric section mounted between the second outer inactive region and the inner inactive region. The inner inactive region is firmly attached to either the flexure or the slider and both of the outer inactive regions are firmly attached to the other of the flexure or the slider.

Abstract: An optical read/write head of an optical data storage/retrieval device is supported by a suspension arm actuator. The suspension arm actuator has a suspension arm element on which a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of piezoelectric films are sequentially stacked on top of one another. The electrode layers have specific electrical states which induce a deformation of the suspension arm actuator.

Abstract: An optical disk drive has a swing arm that is pivotally supported and upon which is mounted an optical head. The optical head illuminates a small laser beam spot, through an objective lens, onto an optical disk. The swing arm is rotated around a pivotable supporting assembly by a rotary motor through a gear train. One of the gears in the gear train is mounted on a tip of the arm. The arm is stably supported at two portions—one portion being the pivotable supporting assembly and the other portion being the rotary motor cooperating with the gear train. One of gears in the gear train preferably has a backlash eliminator including a plurality of associated gears, one of which is elastically suspended by a biasing element that applies a force in a constant direction. The rotary motion of the rotary motor is transferred to arm-rotation without slippage.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing magnetic heads that interact with magnetic disks includes a translational slide and a rotatable arm mounted to one end of the slide. The translational slide moves the rotatable arm in a longitudinal direction parallel to the surface of a magnetic disk. The arm rotates the magnetic head to different positions relative to data tracks on the disk. A second translational slide moves the magnetic head vertically above the disk to adjust the vertical position of the head. The three movements of the head, (1)horizontally across the disk, (2)rotationally by the arm, and (3)vertically relative to the disk surface are controlled by servomechanisms. A read/write amplifier circuit is connected to the head under test. The test apparatus is controlled by a computer that interfaces with circuitry connected to the servomechanisms.

Abstract: An optical pick-up driving device includes: a base; a rotary arm installed with respect to the base and operative to rotate around a first guide pin; a rotation driving mechanism, arranged along the rotary arm and said base, for rotating the rotary arm; an optical pick-up assembly coupled with the rotary arm and operative to rotate around a second guide pin; and an interlocking mechanism for rotating the optical pick-up assembly and which is interlocked with the rotation of the rotary arm. Another optical pick-up driving device includes: a base; an optical pick-up rotatably supported by the base; a rotation driving unit for rotating the optical pick-up; and a moving unit for guiding the movement of the optical pick-up.

Abstract: A multilayered suspension having a slider end and a termination end, the suspension being suitable for use in an information storage system slider-suspension assembly is provided. The suspension comprises a conductive lead structure having at least one conductor line contained in a patterned conductive layer formed over one or more layers. The conductive lead structure is suitable on the slider end for connection to transducer leads of a slider, and on the termination end for connection to arm-electronics termination pads. The suspension further comprises a fixture, formed from one or more layers, being substantially in the same plane as the termination end of the conductive lead structure and having one or more anchor tabs laminated to a layer of the conductive lead structure. The fixture is suitable for aligning the conductor lines to the termination pads by rotating the termination end of the conductive lead structure in the plane of the termination end.

Abstract: A positioning device for magnetic head and disk tester comprises a base plate (100) which supports a rotary spindle (170), for rotating a magnetic disk (168) with a medium to be tested or to be used for testing, and a rotary platform (150) which may slide in one direction (A) along guide shafts (106 and 108) attached to the base plate (100). The rotary platform rotatingly supports a tool support (208) which supports a mechanical arm (218). The latter supports a pair of head holders (220 and 222) with respective read-write heads (228 and 222) to be tested or to be used for testing the disk. The positioning device of this type makes it possible to replace the heads in a convenient position unobstructed by other parts. This is achieved by unlocking the tool support (208) from the rotatable platform (150) by pushing down a lock finger (234) and turning the tool support with the head away from the working position.

Abstract: An actuator armset for a computer disk drive, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, is comprised of a magnesium alloy containing beryllium. The armset has a bore for rotating about a spindle of the disk drive to position a transducer radially across a disk of the disk drive. In accordance with another aspect of the invention is an actuator armset of a disk drive system for movably positioning and supporting a transducer over a disk of the disk drive. The armset has a bore for pivoting about a spindle and comprises a magnesium alloy containing beryllium. A bearing assembly is interposed between the armset and the spindle, a flexible suspension being mounted at one end of the armset. Mounted to an opposing end of the suspension is a transducer. A voice coil is, in turn, mounted to a set of armset brackets such that the voice coil and the brackets are opposite the suspension and transducer.

Abstract: An improved compact disk player device is provided which has compact dimensions and results in reduced cost of manufacturing. The compact disk player device achieves the above described advantages by providing a unique construction whereby multiple compact disks can be loaded onto a retractable tray along parallel, spaced apart planes. In doing so, compact disks to be loaded onto the receiving tray are positioned so as to overlie one another. An angularly rotatable pick-up is provided which reads disk data from a selected one of the compact disks and which rides along a tilted guide which compensates for differences in height between respectively selected disks. The overlying disk construction results in a compact design which will ultimately reduce cost of manufacture. Clamping elements are also used to stabilize, control and protect a rotating disk during a read operation.

Abstract: A hard disc drive is comprised of a casing, a head arm located in the casing and movable in unison with a head, and a diffraction grating mounted on the head arm so as to diffract a light introduced into the casing from the outside of the casing, in which a light diffracted by the diffraction grating is introduced to the outside of the casing. Also, this hard disc drive further comprises an optical system provided outside the casing for receiving the diffracted light, the optical system detecting the arm position, a controller for controlling the arm position, and a servo signal writer for writing a servo signal on the disc on the basis of a detected signal.

Abstract: In order to pivot a pivotal arm (60) carrying an optical scanner (5), use is made of at least one coil (13) and at least one permanent magnet (16, 17), the coil being arranged on the pivotal arm or on a frame supporting the arm and the permanent magnet being arranged on the frame or on the arm. The coil (13) has a substantially straight active coil section (14) which is arranged near the pivotal axis (8) about which the pivotal arm is pivotable and which extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the pivotal arm. The ends of this coil section are interconnected by a further coil section (15) which is, for example, concentric with the pivotal spindle and which extends at that side of the pivotal axis which is remote from the scanning unit.

Abstract: A rotary access arm, e.g. for an optical disk has crossed voice coil actuators (6a,b) for in-plane and vertical movements, e.g. track and focus control; the actuators are secured to its distal end in close proximity to the focussing optical system (5a,b). The heavy elements like laser light source (8) and beam analyzer (11) are arranged near the rotational axis (10) of the arm (or are completely separated therefrom) allowing a very lightweight construction. In an optical storage system using stacked disks coaxial access arms with individual position control are provided. For increased reliability of operation each access arm has two focussing optical systems at its distal end, viewing in opposite directions, and a bistable optical switch (12) to selectively focus the laser beam on one of the two adjacent optical disks. The focussing optical system can be realized with individual lenses or with two conjugate plano-aspheric lenses bonded to a 90.degree. reflection prism.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus has a remarkably improved track accessing ability in comparison with conventional like apparatus. On a base are provided an optical system having a light emitting element and a light sensing element, as well as an optical path deflecting element which performs a precision tracking. Further, an objective lens and a light guide element are provided on a rotating element which performs track seek and rough tracking. The light guide element comprises two reflecting members which are opposed in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A contactless (flying) transducer for scanning a record or recording disc is mounted near the free end of a pivoted arm which is driven in rotation about its pivot by the tangential drive provided by a restrained nut on a threaded motor-driven spindle. A pin extending fron the nut slides without play in a lengthwise groove at the free end of the arm. Rapid operation of the electric motor makes it easy to shift from one part of the record to another and slow movement makes it easy to register precisely with a track. Still finer movement is possible electrically by shifting the transducer on the arm.

Abstract: Moving coils of a phonograph pickup are made of a substance having magnetoresistance so that the electrical resistance of the coils are detected by means of bridge circuits. The amounts of resistance variation of the coils are used to produce a vertical component output signal and a horizontal component output signal which respectively indicate the vertical and horizontal displacements of the coils from its optimum operating point with respect to the magnetic field of the pickup. The vertical and horizontal component output signals are used to control vertical and horizontal control motors which correct the attitude of the tone arm so that the moving coils are accurately positioned at the optimum operating point irrespective of the warp and/or eccentricity of the phonograph disk.

Abstract: An optical tracking apparatus for tracing a spiral track on a recording disk includes an optical pickup device having a semiconductor laser and a photoelectric conversion element; an arm device pivotally mounted to an arm shaft with the pickup device being mounted to the free end thereof to thereby move substantially along the radial direction of the recording disk; sectorial arm drive coil attached to a rear end portion of the arm device and having a current path loop in parallel with the rotational plane of the arm device; and a pair of stationary magnetic field forming devices, each formed of a respective yoke and permanent magnet assembly, the yokes having respective air gaps in which magnetic fields in opposite directions to each other are formed, the arm drive coil being arranged to move in the air gaps and being supplied with an arm drive signal and a tracking error correction signal for causing the pickup device to trace the track.

Abstract: A swing-arm device (5) for an optical disk player comprises a swing arm (16), which near one end (17) carries an optical scanning unit (6) and which is electromagnetically pivoted by means of coils (27, 28) and a permanent magnetic stator (29, 30, 49-52, 54) arranged on the swing arm. The center of mass (Z) of the pivotal assembly, inter alia comprising the swing arm and the optical scanning unit, is disposed on the pivotal axis and the two coils are disposed diametrically on both sides of the pivotal axis and exert equal pivotal forces which act in one plane which is perpendicular to the pivotal axis and which extends through the center of mass. The center of mass is disposed midway between two ball-bearings (20, 21).