Disc Cartridge with Separable Shells for Tray-Free Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disc cartridges with high recording capacity face issues such as increased size, weight, and complexity due to the use of disc trays, and lack of efficient space utilization in data centers, while attempting to house multiple discs without trays leads to instability and dust ingress.
Innovation Solution
A disc cartridge design featuring separable rectangular upper and lower shells with disc holders and a spindle for supporting the disc, allowing for vertical sliding insertion and ejection without a tray, enhancing stability and preventing dust entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If disc trays are used to house discs in a cartridge, then the discs can be stably supported and handled, but the cartridge size, weight, and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the disc tray from the cartridge structure, extracting this component that caused increased complexity, size, and weight. Instead of using a tray to support and handle discs, the invention uses a simplified cartridge body with opening portions that allow direct disc insertion and ejection, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining disc stability through alternative means such as guide grooves and positioning structures
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge body is divided into an upper shell and a lower shell that can be separated. This segmentation allows the cartridge to open for disc insertion and ejection without requiring a complex tray mechanism. The divided structure provides sufficient support and stability for the disc while keeping the overall design simpler and more compact than a traditional tray-based system
2Weight of stationary object
If multiple discs are housed without disc trays, then the cartridge size and weight are reduced, but disc oscillation and instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The disc tray is completely removed from the cartridge structure, eliminating the weight associated with this component. The patent achieves disc stability without the tray by using a cartridge body with carefully designed opening portions, guide grooves, and positioning structures that prevent disc oscillation while keeping the cartridge lightweight
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge body incorporates localized structural features such as guide grooves, positioning protrusions, and specifically designed opening portions that provide stability exactly where needed for disc support, rather than requiring a heavy overall structure. This localized approach to stability maintains disc position and prevents oscillation while minimizing unnecessary weight
3Ease of operation
If opening portions are provided for disc insertion/ejection, then discs can be accessed, but dust and contaminants may enter the cartridge body
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge employs a dynamic sealing mechanism where the upper and lower shells can be separated to create opening portions for disc insertion and ejection, then closed to prevent dust ingress. The opening portions are created only when needed for operation, and the shells can be closed afterward to seal the cartridge body and protect the disc from contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed with pre-configured opening portions and sealing structures that are ready to be activated when needed. The upper and lower shells are prepared to separate and close, providing a controlled mechanism for disc access that automatically protects against dust when closed, rather than requiring continuous opening or complex filtration systems
4Strength
If the cartridge body is made robust to prevent deformation, then disc protection is improved, but the cartridge size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge body uses localized reinforcement strategies where strength and rigidity are provided only in the specific areas that require structural support for disc protection, rather than making the entire cartridge heavy and robust. The upper and lower shells are designed with sufficient local strength to prevent deformation during handling while maintaining an lightweight overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge body is constructed using composite material structures that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The upper and lower shells utilize materials and design features that deliver adequate structural strength and deformation resistance without requiring excessive weight, achieving robust protection in a lightweight package
Data Source
AI summary
A disc cartridge includes upper and lower shells making up a cartridge body, and with the lower shell, a first-rectangular plate, and disc holders making up the side wall of the cartridge body provided to first-side edges of the first-rectangular plate, and also slidably supporting a disc are provided, and second-side edges which face each other are opened, with the upper shell, a second-rectangular plate, standing wall members provided to third-side edges of the second-rectangular plate, making up the front and rear faces of the cartridge body, and a dividing wall provided to fourth-side edges are provided, and with the disc holders, an disc insertion/ejection opening from the second-side edges is provided to one edge, and a push-out opening for a disc push-out member is provided to the other edge, and when the shells are combined together, the second-side edges are closed, and are opened when the shells are separated.